Wednesday – Be Strong to Keep God´s Word
READ: Joshua 23:6-12
SOAP: Joshua 23:8
For further reading – Joshua 23:1-5; 13-16
“but you shall cling to the Lord your God just as you have done to this day.”– Joshua 23:8
In these last chapters of the book of Joshua, we see a leader concerned for his people and their relationship with the Lord. God made a covenant with Israel at Mount Sinai. Moses ratified that covenant in the plains of Moab. When Joshua and the people of Israel crossed the Jordan river, they confirmed the covenant once again at Mount Ebal and Gerizim.
The Israelites were in Canaan, possessing the land God had given them. But there were still enemies that they had to defeat. Joshua knew that their problem was not a military confrontation. He knew that the harder war was in their hearts because they were going to live among pagan nations. The biggest risk was that Israel would leave God and start to live like these nations – which, eventually, happened!
They needed to be strong in guarding God´s Word, obeying His commandments, and living a godly life. Sound familiar? Isn´t it one of our main struggles today? Joshua and the people of Israel had great victories in Canaan because, after that issue of Achan in Jericho, they had remained faithful to God and obedient to every word that came from Him.
We have everything we need to walk in victory! And we need to do is exactly what Joshua did – be with God, obey His commands, meditate on His Word, and hide it in our hearts.
Dear Father, please help me stay true to You. I want to love You and please You with my life. I want to obey You and follow Your lead. Please help me be in Your Word every day and hide it in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.