If you would prefer to listen to this post as a podcast, CLICK HERE.

* * * * *

Be ever mindful that our God is always at work preparing us for what He is preparing for us. And His preparation is perfect, because He knows what we will need and He knows what we will encounter. He knows the plans He has for us – “plans for good and not for disaster, to give {us} a future and a hope.”(1) He has been at work all around us every day of our lives leading up to this very moment. He has been at work long before we ever knew it – and even before we knew Him! Every circumstance, every situation and every experience we have ever encountered has been authored or permitted by the Sovereign God to prepare us for this moment and for those ahead. Every unexpected twist and turn have been designed to prepare us for those unexpected twists and turns that we will encounter in the journey ahead.

Joshua had been Moses’ understudy for forty years. He had seen his mentor lead the people through the challenges of the wilderness – many of their own making, and some the result of the challenges of the wilderness itself. And on the eve of their entry into the Promised Land, as we see recorded in Joshua chapter 1,(2) God confirmed that now was the time for the mantle of leadership to be placed upon Joshua. And in so doing, God was giving him something even greater than all those years of preparation – God was giving him His charge – His calling – His commission.

That commission included a promise which in essence was “wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will not fail you nor abandon you.” Let that promise soak in – Joshua was invincible! He was to have dominion over every place he would go and over every person he would encounter, and the God of all creation would never fail him nor abandon him. How could he be anything but strong and courageous?

He was guaranteed success – and that success had only one condition. The condition was that he obey every word of instruction that God had given him through Moses – and to not deviate by turning either to the right or the left. Obey – and “you will prosper and succeed.”(3) And “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”(4)

It was God’s plan – His promise, His assurance, and His commission. The commission guaranteed that all power in heaven and on the earth would be brought to bear to see it fulfilled.

Imagine what it would have been like to be Joshua. Called and commissioned by God as His child to undertake the task that God was placing before him. Assured of success – and more importantly – assured of the presence of the Almighty God wherever he went!

But we don’t have to imagine what it would have been like, do we? If we are followers of Jesus, we have been chosen, we have been called, and we have been commissioned.(5) He has given us His Word that we might clearly know His instruction(6) – and walk confidently in it.(7) He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us.(8) He has ordered our steps and He delights in our way.(9)

As you embark on this next step in your journey – perhaps into your promised land – you can walk in that same assurance and confidence. It’s possible that the next step you are about to take is not only the answer to your prayers or a promise that God has given to you alone. Rather, it may very well be the culmination of the prayers of many faithful saints that have also prayed for this moment and this promise. Be mindful as you take the step that is before you that God knows everything you will encounter. He knows the fortresses that lie ahead. He knows where the giants are. He knows the barriers and the obstacles.

But His Holy Spirit indwells within you – He goes with you. His Word directs you – He has given you every word of instruction that you will need. And He orders your steps so that you need not turn to the right nor to the left. No one will be able to stand against you. There is no fortress that will stand. There is no giant that cannot be overcome. Obey all that He has told you to do and do not shrink back from “possessing” all that He has placed before you. Be strong and courageous! Walk in His power. Walk on His Word. Walk in the center of His presence. You have been commissioned by God and He is with you wherever you go!

* * * * *

You can read the account of God’s charge to Joshua in the Book of Joshua, chapter 1, verses 1 through 9.

This post is taken from chapter 1 of my book, Possessing The Promise. For more information about the book, click here.

(1)  Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

(2)  Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT)

… the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them…. No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you…. I will not fail you or abandon you. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

(3)  Joshua 1:7

(4)  Joshua 1:9

(5)  John 15:16

(6)  John 8:31-32

(7)  John 15:7

(8)  Hebrews 13:5

(9)  Psalm 37:23

Copyright © 2023 Kenneth A. Winter All rights reserved.

Photo by PhotoGranary on Lightstock