Our scripture this morning is Joshua 1:8-9.
[8] This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. [9] I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua was chosen to lead the Israelites following the death of Moses. He is given specific instructions on how to be a good leader by following God’s will: “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night.” We too are called to “act in accordance with all that is written in it.”
God has called His people to be a living example of His love and care to all the world. By confessing our failure and turning to Him in repentance we can be saved. God wants us all to be with Him eternally, but we must make the choice to connect.
God gives us His command and His promise – we are to “be strong and courageous” because “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” The apostle Paul reminds us that “nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39). No matter what our circumstances, God stands with those who love and obey Him.
Gracious God, we are sorry for the times we have gone our own way rather than living in Your love. Forgive us and send us to share the blessing of salvation everywhere. Amen.
