The book of Joshua is a story of a leader who prepared himself and was ready to serve God. He was righteous, courageous, victorious, and led a life of faith. In Joshua 1:2 God said to Joshua, "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them." Joshua's name means "God is salvation". This is the same meaning of Jesus' name. In many ways, Joshua was a forerunner of the victorious Savior.God told Joshua that He would give him the land in every place he set his foot as He had promised Moses. There is a message in that, because we can have all of the spiritual life in God that we desire. God expects us to experience and live the fullness of life in Him, for His glory.
The Promised Land Joshua was leading the people of Israel into is described as abundant and far reaching, a land of milk and honey. But the way to possessing the land would not be easy. It would require many battles. It is the same way with our spiritual journey. There are many battles along the way that take courage, and require faith in God and dependence on His power.
The key to victory for Joshua was in following the instruction of the Lord. "Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:7-8
All along the way God told him to be strong and courageous. The message is the same to us- be strong and courageous. Our help comes from the Lord.
