Be Strong and of Good Courage - Joshua 1:9

In the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God told him, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success”, and in chapter one and verse nine of his book Jehovah God told Joshua again, “Be strong and of good courage” where we read,

Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage; 

be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you whithersoever you go.

The verse reads, “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and of a good courage;” Joshua began with the words, “have not I commanded you” which means “is it not true that I, Jehovah God, have given orders, charged and ordered you, Joshua”? “Be strong” or “exist as hardened, firm, resolute and prevailing” “and of good courage” which means “and being brave, stout and bold”. Jehovah God asked Joshua whether it was true that He already gave His instruction toward the idea of being “strong and of good courage”.

 

The verse continues, “be not afraid, neither be you dismayed: for the LORD your God is with you whithersoever you go.” Joshua added the words, “be not afraid” or “do not exist with fear, dread, oppression and terror ”, “neither be you dismayed” which means “no and not in any way was Joshua to exist as broken, abolished and shattered”: “for the LORD your God” or “because, since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God, your, Joshua’s, Supreme Deity” “is with you” which means “exists alongside and accompanies you, Joshua” “whithersoever you go” or “in whatever place and location that you, Joshua, walk, depart, proceed and move”. Jehovah God told Joshua not to be fearful or broken because Jehovah God his Supreme Deity shall accompany him in whatever location he proceeds. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how Jehovah God continued to give Joshua instructions as to how he would become a successful leader over the people of Israel. Not only did Jehovah God previously tell him to “be strong and of good courage”, but He also gave him the same order again. He added that Joshua was not to be fearful or broken because He would accompany Him in whatever place He went. God was leading the people of Israel just as He promised Moses, and He will lead and guide us as well when we yield to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and help us live in a manner that is “strong, courageous, not fearful nor broken” as we go about His business in this world. 

Next time we see how, “Joshua commanded the officers of the people”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

God’s Law Not Departing Out of Your Mouth - Joshua 1:8

In the book of Joshua, Joshua shared how the Lord told him, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them. Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go”, and in chapter one and verse eight of his book the Lord told Joshua, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth” where we read,

This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.

The verse reads, “This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth;” Joshua began with the words, “this book of the law” which means “this missive, writing and document pertaining to direction, instruction and codes” “shall not depart” or “will in no way or manner be removed or leave” “out of your mouth” which means “from your, Joshua’s, orifice in the face used for eating, drinking and speaking”. Jehovah God told Joshua that His commandments were in no way to be removed from his speaking. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein:” Joshua continued with the words, “but you shall meditate therein” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover you, Joshua, are to muse, groan and ponder within the law of God” “day and night” which means “within the daytime and nighttime”, “that you may observe to do” or “so you, Joshua, might keep, guard, give heed to, watch over and protect” “according to all” which means “in keeping with each, the whole and every part” “that is written therein” or “that is inscribed, engraved and within the law of God”. Jehovah God further told Joshua that he should muse and ponder His commandments in the daytime and nighttime so he would keep and obey everything that is inscribed within His “law”. 

Finally the verse says, “for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success.” Joshua concluded this verse with the words, “for then you shall make your way prosperous” which means “because, since and on account that you, Joshua, will progress, make profitable and advance your, Joshua’s, traveled road and path ”, “and then you shall have good success” or “and at that time you, Joshua, will possess pleasant and agreeable insight, understanding and comprehension”. Jehovah God told Joshua that he would cause his journey to advance and become profitable which would cause him to have pleasant and agreeable insight and understanding. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we discover how Jehovah God continued to encourage and instruct Joshua who was to become the new leader of Israel. A fundamental part of his leadership was to the study and meditate upon God’s commandments, and he was to make them part of his life in the daytime and nighttime. By doing so, Joshua would not only keep God’s law, but also cause his own life to be profitable and filled with pleasant understanding. God wants all of us to observe these principles, and because He loves us, He gave His Only Begotten Son Jesus to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him, our sins will be forgiven, we will be granted everlasting life and be equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to keep God’s law so we live in a “prosperous” and “successful” manner before His eyes. (See John 16:13)

Next time we see how Jehovah God tells Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Strong and Courageous to Observe God’s Law - Joshua 1:7

In the book of Joshua, Joshua or the writer shared how the Lord told him, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them”, and in chapter one and verse seven of this book Jehovah God  told Joshua, “be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law”, where we read,

Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go.

The verse reads, “Only be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded you:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “only be you strong” which means “altogether, except and surely exist you, Joshua as hardened, firm, resolute and prevailing” “and very courageous” or “and exceedingly and abundantly brave, stout and bold”, “that you may observe to do” which means “so you, Joshua, might guard, give heed, have charge of and keep fashioning, accomplishing and making” “according to all the law” or “in keeping with each, every and the whole of the direction, instruction and codes”, “all the law” which means “each, every and the whole of the direction, instruction and codes”, “which Moses my servant” or “that Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus as well as Jehovah God’s man of servile condition, slave and bondman” “commanded you” which means “charged, appointed and ordered you, Joshua and the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer repeated how Jehovah God instructed Joshua to exist as hardened, firm, resolute, brave and bold so he and the people of Israel might keep every part of God’s “law” in the same manner He provided to him and the people of Israel through His minister “Moses” who gave them them the “ten commandments”. 

 

The verse continues, “turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper whithersoever you go.” Joshua added the words, “turn not from it” or “do not depart, avoid or turn aside separate and apart from the law of God” “to the right hand” which means “toward the right hand direction” “or to the left” or “or toward the left hand direction”, “that you may prosper” which means “so you, Joshua and the people of Israel, might be prudent, wise, understanding and circumspect” “whithersoever you go” or “in whatever place or location that you, Joshua and the children of Israel, depart, proceed and move”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told Joshua not to turn to the left or right direction aside from the “law” of God so he and the people of Israel would be prudent and circumspect in whatever place they proceeded. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God continued to instruct Joshua for his new position as leader of Israel. God’s direction for Joshua is good for us as well. God repeated His instruction to Joshua to be hardened, firm, resolute, brave and bold so he could keep “all” of God’s commandments which were given to “Moses” who was God’s minister to the people of Israel. Joshua was to follow the “law” in a straight and direct manner, and he was not to wander to the left or right of what God commanded. (See Matthew 7:13-14) When Joshua and the people of Israel obeyed God’s commandments, they would be prudent and circumspect in whatever place they traveled. God desires that we keep His “law” as well, and when we put our faith and trust in His Son Jesus who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to His truth as we “prosper” wherever we go. 

Next time the LORD tells Joshua, “this book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Be Strong and of Good Courage - Joshua 1:6

In the book of Joshua, Joshua shared how the Lord told him, “there shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you”, and in chapter one and verse six of his book Jehovah God told Joshua, “be strong and of a good courage”, where we read,

Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, which I swore unto their fathers to give them.

The verse reads, “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “be strong” which means “exist as hardened, firm, resolute and prevailing” “and of a good courage or “and brave, stout and bold”: “for unto this people” which means “because, since and on account that toward this group of human beings both male and female” “shall you divide for an inheritance” or “will you, Joshua, split up on behalf of an acquired property or possession” “the land” which means “the region, district and territory”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God instructed Joshua to exist as resolute and bold because he would split up the promised territory given to the children of Israel.

 

The verse goes on to say, “… which I swore unto their fathers to give them.” Joshua continued with the words, “which I swore” or “that I, Jehovah God, bonded, adjured and took an oath” “unto their fathers” which means “to their, the children of Israel’s, forefathers and male ancestors” “to give them” or “to grant, bestow, ascribe and consecrate to them, the children of Israel”. Joshua or the writer how Jehovah God promised with an oath to the forefathers of Israel that He would “give” the “land” to them. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how Jehovah God encouraged Joshua concerning his new position of leadership. Not only was Joshua to be resolute and bold because he would split up the territory among the children of Israel in the promise land, but he would also help fulfill God’s oath to their male ancestors that He would bestow it upon them. God does not lie, and when He makes a promise, He keeps it. (See Numbers 23:19; Hebrews 6:18; Titus 1:2) He has promised to give forgiveness of sins and eternal life to everyone who puts their faith and trust in His Son Jesus who died upon the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. God loves us, and we can be “resolute and bold” concerning the promises of God when we completely surrender to Him.

Next time the LORD tells Joshua, “be you strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

No Man Standing Before Joshua - Joshua 1:5

In the book of Joshua, Joshua shared how Jehovah God told him, “go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, unto the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast”, and in chapter one and verse five of his book Jehovah God told Joshua, “there shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life” where we read,

There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you..

The verse reads, “There shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life:” The writer or Joshua began with the words, “there shall not any man” which means “there will in no way or manner exist a single person whether male or female to” “be able to stand” or “have the ability to set in place, establish or station their own selves”: “before you” which means “in front and in the presence of you, Joshua”, “all the days” or “each, every and the whole of the sunrises and sunsets” “of your life” which means “pertaining to your, Joshua’s, remaining alive and living”. Joshua or the writer said no one would have the ability to be set in place, established or stationed in Joshua’s presence for every sunrise to sunset he is alive.

 

The verse continues, “as I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will not fail you, nor forsake you.” Joshua added the words, “as I was with Moses” or “similar and in likeness to the way I, Jehovah God, was alongside and accompanied Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet, lawgiver and leader of the exodus”, “so will I be with you” which means “also and indeed shall I, Jehovah God, accompany and exit alongside you, Joshua”: “I will not fail you” or “I, Jehovah God, shall in no way or manner sink, let drop or disheartened you, Joshua”, “nor forsake you” which means “no and not in any way leave, depart from or abandon you, Joshua”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God told Joshua that He would accompany him in the same manner that He was alongside “Moses”, and God promised not to dishearten nor abandon him. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn through the writer or Joshua how God promised that no one would be able to be established in Joshua’s presence for all his “life”, and He told Joshua in the same manner He was alongside “Moses, He would be with Him, never let him drop nor depart from him. God’s desire is to have this type of relationship with all of us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth while He accompanies us and never leaves us for all our days. (See John 16:13; Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5) 

Next time the LORD tells Joshua, “be strong and of a good courage”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

From the Wilderness and Lebanon - Joshua 1:4

In the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God told him, “go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, unto the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses”, and in chapter one and verse four of his book Jehovah God told Joshua, “from the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river” where we read,

From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.

The verse reads, “From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates,  …” Joshua began with the words, “from the wilderness” which means “separate and apart from the uninhabited land or desert” “and this Lebanon” or “and this Lebanon whose name means whiteness and was a wooded mountain range on the northern border of Israel”: “even unto the great river” which means “also and indeed to the massive, abundant and large flowing stream”, “the river Euphrates” or “the flowing stream called Euphrates whose name means fruitfulness and was the largest and longest river of western Asia; rises from two chief sources in the Armenian mountains and flows into the Persian Gulf”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God said Joshua and the people of Israel would inherit the land from the “uninhabited land or desert”, “Lebanon” and to the massive flowing stream called the “Euphrates”. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “… all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.” Joshua continued with the words, “all the land” or “each, the whole and every part of the territory, region and country”, “of the Hittites” which means “belonging to the Hittites whose name means the descendant of Heth and was the nation descended from Heth, the second son of Canaan; once inhabitants of central Anatolia (modern Turkey), later in north Lebanon”,  “and unto the great sea” or “and to the intense, massive and important large body of water which was the Mediterranean Sea” “toward the going down of the sun” which means “to the descending of the sun in the sky or sunset”, “shall be your coast” or “will exist as your, Joshua and the people of Israel’s, region, border or territory”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God said Joshua and the people of Israel would also inherit the region that belonged to the “Hittites” and to the border of the massive Mediterranean Sea where the sun in the sky descends at sunset. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through the writer or Joshua how Jehovah God promised Joshua and the people of Israel that they would inherit the promise land from the desert place in “Lebanon” to the “Euphrates River” as well as every part of the region which belonged to the “Hittites” which is modern “Turkey” to the Mediterranean Sea and toward the place where the sun sets. God would provide for Joshua and the people of Israel, and when they obeyed Him, they would be blessed. In like manner, God has given great promises to everyone who yields to His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and provide His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we inherit all He has for us in this life and in our Heavenly home to come. 

Next time Jehovah God tells Joshua, “there shall not any man be able to stand before you all the days of your life”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Every Place Your Foot Treads - Joshua 1:3

In the book of Joshua, the writer or Joshua said, “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you, and all this people, unto the land which I give to them, even to the children of Israel”, and in chapter one and verse three of his book the writer or Joshua shares what will happen in, “every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon” where we read,

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, 

that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

The verse reads, “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon,  …” The writer or Joshua began with the words, “every place” which means “in each, the whole and all locations” “that the sole of your foot” or “that the bent or bottom part of the physical foot of Joshua and the people of Israel”: “shall tread upon” which means “will march, lead, be guided and walk on”. Joshua or the writer shared how Jehovah God told Joshua that all the locations that the bottom of their feet walked would be according to the following. 

 

The verse continues, “… that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” Joshua added the words, “that I have given unto you” or “that I, Jehovah God, have granted, provided, assigned and bestowed upon you, Joshua and the people of Israel”, “as I said” which means “similar and in likeness to the manner I, Jehovah God, uttered, declared and proclaimed”  “unto Moses” or “to Moses whose name means drawing out and was the prophet and lawgiver as well as the leader of the exodus”. The writer or Joshua shared how Jehovah God told Joshua that He provided the land to him and the people of Israel in likeness to the way He told “Moses” that He would. 

When we think through the words in this verse, we learn through the writer or Joshua shared how all the locations where Joshua and the people of Israel put the bottom of their feet would be provided to them. God was speaking in advance of Joshua and the people of Israel’s inheritance, (this was the promise land) and even though they had not received their reward as yet, they were to walk toward it. God desires to provide for us for all eternity through a personal relationship with His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was resurrected from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and give us His Holy Spirit who will lead and guide us into all truth and toward our promised inheritance with Him in Heaven someday. 

Next time Jehovah God tells Joshua, “from the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".