DAY 3 - BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commands
(Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV).
Key scriptures
You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.
Psalms 139:13
I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope.
Psalms 29:11
Be Strong and Very Courageous
When God told Moses he was not going into the Promised Land Moses pleaded with God for a successor. God’s response was,
So, the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him. Have him stand before Eleazar the priest and the entire assembly and commission him in their presence. Give him some of your authority so the whole Israelite community will obey him (Numbers 18-20 ISV).
Joshua had no idea God was preparing him to take over and finish the job. Last year God was making you, purifying you and strengthening you to possess the Land He has already given you. God told the children of Israel, just as He is saying to you today,
Remember how the LORD your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2, NIV).
What if you are next? Next in line for the promotion, the bestseller, an invention that will change the world, a baby, a marriage? Don’t let fear, anger or frustration make you lose your place in line.
In Joshua chapter one God had to remind Joshua that Moses was dead. He was removing all of Joshua’s dependence on man, and now Joshua had to lean on God solely. God is removing everything and everyone you have used as a crutch and wants you to depend and rely on Him alone.
Now it was Joshua’s sole responsibility to bring all those people into the Promised Land. I am sure Joshua was questioning his ability to lead because Moses was one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. He told Joshua, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses” (Joshua 1:3 KJV).
God told Joshua three times, as He is telling you, “Be strong and very courageous.” Here were God’s final instructions to Joshua as He was positioning himself to take the helm:
o You have a massive responsibility to the people, but I will give you the business acumen you need to divide the land (Joshua 1:6).
o Meditate on my word because this is a spiritual battle and not a natural one. You cannot be moved by what you see in the physical realm (Joshua 1:7).
o I am with you, just like I was with Moses. Do not be dismayed (distressed), afraid. You are not alone because I am with you (Joshua 1:9).
PROPHETIC INSTRUCTION:
What if everything you have been going on though and everything you have been experiencing is because you are up next? The enemy is trying to wound and distract you so you will forfeit your assignment. As the year comes to a close be intentional about spending time with God over the next month. Write down what God has shown you and be intentional about not deviating from the plan 2024.
Everything you need is already inside of you, you were born pre-programmed to conquer, subdue, and excel. When the Lord said, "Before I formed you, I knew you..." (Jeremiah 1:5), it means before you had hair, eyes, nose, organs, arms or legs He had full knowledge of who you were and what you were going to do. He just needed a body to house your purpose. God knew who Jesus was and what he was going to do and Hebrews 10:5 says, "But a body you have prepared for me."