“And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day will I begin to magnify thee in the sight of all Israel, that they may know that, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee.” Joshua was about to gain the confidence of Israel. They would need it for the challenges that lay ahead. He and Caleb failed to convince their parents to obey forty years earlier, but this new generation had no fear of giants. They were ready to follow the leader God had chosen. It was not Joshua’s personality or leadership style that persuaded them. The Lord was at work all along preparing both leader and followers. We are never successful in carrying out spiritual work without God’s enabling. He chose to use Joshua, just as he had chosen to use Moses years before. He was not ready to complete his mission until he encountered the burning bush. This was a similar moment for Joshua. It was the day His Father had chosen to begin His process of magnification in the sight of Israel. None of it was done for the glory of men. Today we instead praise the Lord for keeping His promises to Israel; just as He intended when He said these words.
“And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.” It would be an understatement to say the blessing of God upon Israel was “well known”. According to Rahab, even the fighting men of Jericho were terrified. However, their hearts did not “melt” because of the Israelite’s bravery and terror in battle. It was, in fact, cowardice that had stopped them from entering the promised land forty years earlier. Instead, it was the God of Israel that made their enemies fear. He had done many wonderful, and legendary works, which armies all around had noted. The military mind is pragmatic. It measures the skill of the generals, the discipline of the foot soldiers, the circumstances of the battle, and above all: the odds. If these factors are favorable, they march boldly into battle. It is only a supernatural force that can turn these considerations upside down. The God of heaven above and earth beneath was on the side of Israel, and it was clear they could not be stopped. What conclusion have you reached about Jehovah? Rahab made a decision, by faith, to trust in this “one and only” God with her entire life. I would encourage you to do the same.
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Sometimes this passage is applied rather casually. We may use it when we encounter a momentary, uncomfortable situation in life. Joshua was facing nothing of the sort. He was charged with taking his people into a foreign land, where they would face armed conflict and constant danger. In all reality they were headed to war; and while the land had been given to them by God, much of it was obtained in battle. While we read the story today and see the ease with which it was accomplished, the fighting men of Israel still had to draw swords and stare the enemy in the eye. Certainly God has a plan in mind for every one of us. For Joshua and the children of Israel it was to dwell in the land of promise. No enemy can derail God’s plan, but circumstances may arise that test our faith. Just as God commanded Joshua to be strong, and we ought to do the same. In the heat of battle or the calm of everyday life, we should keep God’s plan in mind. If all else fails, remember Joshua’s assignment; it should help to put your “difficult” situation into focus.
Devotions | Chris | 
December 3, 2007 10:55 pm | 
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