Faced with a Challenge

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

The challenges of life come to us by many different avenues - the death of a loved one, a new job, financial changes, the birth of a child. With every challenge, God is preparing us for the future. Joshua faced a life-changing challenge when chosen to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Years of training had seen Joshua grow into a finely tuned warrior. But he was accustomed to the feel of the javelin in his hand, not the rod of leadership.

God told Joshua on three separate occasions how to handle the challenge placed before him: “Only be strong and very courageous...This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written...” (Joshua 1:7-8). Was God questioning Joshua’s ability? No. He knew that with every challenge comes the possibility of falling to doubts and fears. Joshua enjoyed success in the midst of the challenge by recalling the words of God, binding them to his heart, and determining to walk in the ways of God.

Begin your day with God’s Word. He will lead you through every challenge just as He did Joshua.        

“Disregard the study of God and you sentence yourself to stumble and blunder through life.” -J.I. Packer