EMPOWERED TO OCCUPY “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which...
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| EMPOWERED TO OCCUPY |
“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.” Jos. 1:2
Moses had passed away, the people of Israel had reached the edge of the Promised Land and it was at this critical time point that God appointed a new leader, Joshua. Joshua was apprehensive about replacing Moses. He had good reasons to be fearful of the huge responsibility that God was entrusting him with. He would have questioned himself as to whether he was up to the job. The people he was entrusted to lead would also have had their own misgivings.
God commanded Joshua to “Arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them.” This served to
emphasise the leadership role of Joshua in preparing the people of Israel for entry into the Promised Land. God then reassures Joshua, “Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” This indicated that in God’s divine purpose, the
ownership of the Promised Land was already theirs. “As I said to
Moses,” reminded Joshua that God had long been on this mission of leading the Israelites to the Promised Land. God then promised to defeat the enemies of Israel, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life.” Joshua would continue to win battles as long as he trusted in God’s power and promises. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” This assured Joshua that he also would enjoy the same level of God’s presence and guidance as Moses had experienced. “I will not leave you nor forsake you,” served to remind Joshua of God’s
faithfulness.
God then commands Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My
servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” The Lord encouraged Joshua to set his sights on the task that lay ahead. Joshua would distribute the land God had promised to Israel’s ancestors to give them as an inheritance. He also instructed Joshua to carefully observe the instructions he received from Moses and to stay on God’s course. If he complied, then he would prosper and
succeed in whatever he did.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you
wherever you go.” This reminded Joshua that God was the power source behind his leadership and that that God would equip him for the task ahead.
Spiritual leaders are tasked with moving people from where they are to where God wants them to be in the church, the home, schools and the workplace or wherever they may be. The Lord is calling His people to a place of occupation. This is the place where we begin to engage in the business of the Father. We are called to have dominion and exercise influence. It is time for the Church to occupy 'til He comes. The Lord our God is with us! The knowledge of God’s presence will empower us and help us overcome our fears, and our careful obedience to His commands will bring results that please Him Remain blessed.
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