Joshua 1: A Formula for Success

By Allen J. Huth, President of the Ezra Project |

BACKGROUND

The theme of Joshua is Part Two of God’s grand work of redemption in the Old Testament. Part One was under the leadership of Moses as God redeemed His people out of bondage in Egypt. Part Two, under the leadership of Joshua, is the completion of God’s promise to bring them into the Promised Land and give them rest. The book is a fascinating treatment of numerous theological topics such as: leadership, covenants, judgment and mercy, divine sovereignty over lands and people, human responsibility, promised rest, faithfulness, and how God’s people respond to Him.

FORMULA FOR SUCCESS

Joshua was trained to lead by being Moses’ assistant for forty years. From chapter one, here are some leadership instructions given to Joshua, and thus to us:

1) Be anointed by God

2) Be strong and of good courage

3) Obey God’s Word

4) Meditate on God’s Word

5) Have God with you where you go

6) Have a purpose to go

7) Possess the land

God’s plan moves on in spite of people. Moses dies, but God’s plan and leadership do not. Joshua is the successor, and God is going to elevate him in front of Israel by using him like Moses, to part the Jordan River. These people did not cross the Red Sea. They only heard about it. Now they are going to experience God’s power too. God also uses people like Moses and Joshua to work His plan. He still uses people like us today. Are you willing to be elevated by God to lead in front of others?

God promises Joshua success. He knows your outcomes too. What a guarantee in verse 5, “‘Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you’. Joshua had been Moses’ assistant for decades. He saw how God spoke and directed Moses. He will get the same attention from God. God is going to deliver the promise He made to Abraham. Joshua gets to be part of it. Success comes from God and following His Word. Don’t turn to the right or to the left of God’s Word. Meditate on it day and night and experience prosperity and success. Joshua acted on God’s instructions, His promises. We have to move out in faith too. Be strong and courageous in God’s work. Do you believe God is with you?

God has a plan for your life. He had a plan for Joshua, and He has a plan for you. Discover God’s plan for your life. Believe God is with you. He is not just with people like Moses and Joshua. He is with you, He is with me, as we work on the purposes He has given each of us. Do you know God’s plan for your life?

God tells us how to succeed:

being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous (vv. 7-9).

God gives us purpose, and He gives us a formula for success. Stay in His Word, do not depart from it, be careful to do all that is written in it. And then, we will have success. We will have prosperity.

God expects us to act. We cannot just be hearers of the Word. We need to be doers. Joshua acted after God put him in charge. From Joshua 1, might we understand God has a purpose for our lives? He is with us wherever we go. He gives us the formula for success by staying close to His Word. And then He says, “Get after it. Go do what I have called you to do.”

PRAYER

Father, we see You have a plan, and You use people to accomplish Your plan. You did it then. You do it today. We also see You purpose people. And people who follow Your purpose will have success. Encourage us, Lord. Empower us to find Your purpose for our lives and then have the courage to act; to be strong and very courageous. Thank You for this great formula for success in life in Joshua 1.