Passage: Joshua 1

God wants you to have great success but we must do our part.

God commanded Joshua:
#1 Move forward by faith

When you walk by faith, even if you see a problem, you will know there is a solution. You will see the solution when you walk in faith. You will see the problem but you will see it as victory, not as a problem. God is with you so He will take are of everything.

When you look at the Jordan River in your life, you will see it as a victory, as a testimony and not a problem or obstacle. God is in charge; He will be with you and help you. Even though there is a storm or waves, you will see the glory of God in the storm.

#2 Meditate on the Word of God and keep God’s commandments

Live life the way of God and obey the law. Remember God’s laws and follow them. God’s laws are like a spiritual map. When you follow the map, you will bring great success to your life. You will prosper in every area. Use the Word of God as your map.

Meditate on the Word of God. That is your direction, your map to get to the place God has promised you. The Word is your map to your destiny.

Always meditate on the Word of God. The Word provides direction, strength, hope, and promise. The Word of God clearly shows us how to reach our Promised Land. God will use the Word of God to direct us.

#3 Walk straight and look up to God – do not turn to the right or to the left

When people look around, they get tempted by Satan. They become emotional. They are tempted by their own covetousness. They are tempted by wrong mercy.

James 1:13-16
13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.

Satan will use your selfishness, covetousness, bitterness, analytical mind, anger, envy, or any open door to destroy you.

As we study the Bible and pray and walk in obedience, we can overcome sin. You have a hard time overcoming sin because you don’t walk in obedience to God. You walk in obedience to your flesh. When you obey your flesh, you will be miserable. When you allow the law of God to take charge over you, you will be strong and bold.

Joshua put his life down to be obedient to God. We need to have that same attitude.

Don’t obey God when it’s convenient or simple. Obey God when it’s hard, when it’s inconvenient, when it’s sacrificial.

We all need to remember that the Word of God is our map. The Word will show us the way to the place that God has for us. The Word will show us how to prosper and have great success.

Don’t let the Word of God depart from your mouth. Keep God’s commands and obey Him. Then you will have great success.

Why aren’t people strong? Their hearts aren’t in the right place. Examine your heart: where are you with God? Have you been studying the Word and praying? Have you been obedient? Where are you with God? Examine your heart every day. If you walk with God every day, you will be strong and brave. If you are fearful and weak, it’s because you aren’t studying, praying, and being obedient.

John 14:6
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

God said that if we follow the Word and keep His commandments, we will have great success. At home. In ministry. At work. In whatever you do. You will overcome your mind and your heart. You will have peace in your heart. You will not be confused or struggle. You will be happy.

God wants people to be happy. We will be happy when God is with us.

#4 Remember that God is with you

No one will be able to stand against you because God is with you.

God’s Word is real. He will never take back His promise. If you are obedient to God, He is with you.

Isaiah 55:11
11 So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth;
It shall not return to Me void,
But it shall accomplish what I please,
And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.

Everything that God promised in Joshua 1 will not be void if you walk in obedience, if you meditate on the Word of God, if you walk in faith, if you lay down your life to be obedient to God.

After they crossed the Jordan River, they conquered the Promised Land. If they had never moved forward in obedience, they would never have received their promise. But they obeyed God. Because they obeyed God, they conquered seven nations and received the Promised Land.

We must walk in obedience every day.

God bless you,
Pastor Sun East

More in this series:
Part 1: Are you scared? God says, “Be brave, bold, and strong”
Part 2: What causes spiritual weakness?
Part 3: Strength comes through obedience