Take Good Heed to Yourselves - Joshua 23:11

In the book of Joshua, we learned how Joshua was old, and he told the people of Israel, “the LORD has driven out from before you great nations and strong: but as for you, no man has been able to stand before you unto this day. One man of you shall chase a thousand: for the LORD your God, he it is that fights for you, as he has promised you”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, Joshua said, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves”, where we read, 

Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, that you love the LORD your God.

The verse reads, “Take good heed therefore unto yourselves, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “take good heed therefore” which means “keep, guard, observe and protect wherefore, then and on this account” “unto yourselves” or “to your own selves”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of Israel to guard and protect their own selves. 

The verse goes on to say, “… that you love the LORD your God.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “that you love” or “that you, the people of Israel, have strong affection for” “the LORD your God” or “Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God your, the people of Israel’s, Supreme Deity”. Joshua or the writer said “Joshua” instructed the people of Israel to be strongly affectionate toward Jehovah God. 

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” directed the people of Israel to have a strong affection toward Jehovah God. In other words, He was to be first in their lives. God wants the same for us, (See Matthew 6:33) because when He is the primary of our thoughts and actions, we and He are blessed. God loves us, and He proved His love toward us when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to be crucified on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. God made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and granted us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and help us to keep ourselves “in the love of God” for all eternity. (See John 15:!3; Jude 1:21)

Next time Joshua shares what will happen, “if you do in any wise go back”, 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".