PATHWAY TO SUCCESS

Joshua 1:1-18

Monday, 12 January 2025

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Here is a young man perplexed with the sudden sense of responsibility put on him, to replace a towering personality who was at the helm of a big community of people! That’s Joshua coming into leadership over the people of Israel in the wilderness, in the place of Moses. But he is greatly encouraged by the Lord over and again to be courageous and of the Lord’s constant presence as he takes charge!

Let’s study the instructions and inspirations given to Joshua from which we can learn:

• They are to possess the promises

The Lord promised to Israel’s forefathers the land they would settle into and as it lay before them, they were to take possession of that promise. They had to cross over the hurdle of the Jordan River into their promised land. The Lord’s promises for His children are plenty in God’s Word; besides He gives specific promises at certain times which they have to “possess” through prayer and standing in faith. See Paul’s instruction to Timothy about possessing the promise: “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience…” (1Tim.1:18-19). Sometimes a prayer-warfare is required to see God’s promises fulfilled in our lives.

• They must progress into the land

The Lord spoke to Joshua: ”I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses” (v.3), which meant they had to progress into the land of promise step by step. They couldn’t possess their promised land if they hesitated and feared the journey or the resistancethey would face. Progress in the right direction is always necessary to possess our promises. Many are unable to make progress because they don’t take steps of faith in the tasks the Lord has entrusted them. When the Holy Spirit spoke to the church at Antioch to separate Paul and Barnabas for the work He had called them for (Acts 13:2), the two did not hesitate to go where the Lord called them to! As they progressed from place to place, the Lord opened lands for the Word of God to be preached. The Lord’s promise to believers is 

Ask of Me, and I will give YouThe nations for Your inheritance,And the ends of the earth for Your possession. (Psalm 2:8)

It’s for us to ask and to take steps to possess His promises!

• The Lord will provide for them

Israel was to inherit the land that the Lord swore to their forefathers. That’s God’s provision for them. Besides, the Lord’s presence with Joshua would ensure God’s provision for his every need to lead His people into their inheritance. The Lord is Jehovah Jireh- our Provider- He will provide for every need of His children as we trust Him. Psalm 125:3 says: For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest On the land allotted to the righteous, Lest the righteous reach out their hands to iniquity. Whatever “land of promise” the Lord has allotted to His righteous ones, He will make sure it becomes ours!

• The Law of the Lord- to prosper

The Lord constantly reminded Joshua to follow the Law of the Lord; He said: “do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.” (v.7). How was the Word of God to impact him?

• It shall not depart from the mouth

• Meditate on it day and night

• Observe what is written in it

That was to be the success point for Joshua as he prepared to take on this tremendous task.

At the start of a new year, can we apply these principles as our pathway for success? Then we too will prosper in the tasks the Lord assigns to us.

The Lord’s Promise: “…so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)