Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

A REMEDY FOR FEAR
Joshua 1:1-3

The Book of Joshua opens with these words: "After the death of Moses the Lord's servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant." In order for Israel to experience the blessings of the promised land, in order for their fears and worries to be erased, a death had to occur before the blessings could be given.

The death of Moses represented the last remnant of the old order. Moses was under a sentence of death because of his disobedience to God by striking the rock instead of speaking to the rock. As long as Moses lived, Israel could never experience the blessings of the promised land. William Lasor, in his book titled, Great Personalities of the Bible, wrote: God expects each generation to get up on its own feet and face its own problems. God does not want us to stand around saying, 'Well, now, look at Moses. There was a great man! We will never have another man like Moses!'...Moses is dead. Great man that he was, he is dead. Get up and face the problems of your day and your age! Arise, go over this Jordan. Do not long for the past. Do the work of the present, and God says, 'I will be with you.'

You and I cling to our old sinful natures, don't we? In First Corinthians 15:31, Paul makes an unusual statement when he proclaims, "I die daily." Why was this so necessary in order for Paul to be set free from his fears and worries? Paul realized that he lived in a body which had to be daily yielded to God in order that he might experience the spiritual blessings of God.

One of the greatest remedies for anxiety and worry and fear is obedience to the command for us to move forward spiritually. We are to be crucified daily so that we might truly live. The song writer captured the importance of this thought of dying to self and to sin when he wrote: We cannot be channels of blessing If our lives are not free from known sin; We will barriers be and a hindrance To those we are trying to win.

As we begin a new year, a new millennium, God would challenge each of us to move forward spiritually so that we might walk in the fullness of obedience to God's will.

Secondly, we are to move forward steadily. God states these words to Joshua in verse 3, Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you. In Exodus 23, God had told Moses that, when they got to the Promised Land, God would drive the enemy out little by little so that the people might more carefully appropriate what God had given to them.

One of the words of wisdom which I received as a teenager was from a dear saint of God who said, "Max, don't ask God for more until you already are faithful in what He has given to you." I wish I could state that I have always followed those words of wisdom. But, at times, I have been in such a hurry that I have relied more on what I could do than on what God has done. I am daily reminded of those words of the chorus: In His time, in His time, He makes all things beautiful in His time. Lord, please show me every day as You're teaching me Your ways, that You do just what You say in Your time.

Lord, as we close our study today, we ask that you would help each of us as the family of the Village Schools, to move forward not only spiritually, but also steadily in this coming year. Not that we would receive any praise or glory, but that You would be honored and praised. We give You thanks in Jesus' name. Amen.

THE PROMISES OF THE WORD
Joshua 1:7-9

It was a frightening responsibility which God was entrusting to Joshua. He was aware of the nature of these people God was placing under his leadership. For forty years he had witnessed their mood swings, from complete surrender to God to complete rebellion against God. He had seen how they had treated Moses. He had witnessed their words of scorn and contempt for his leadership.

I believe Joshua was fearful. In fact, I think Joshua might have been terrified at the prospects lying before him. I know I would have been. Yet God reassured Joshua of His continued presence. He could be strong and courageous because God was with him.

How was Joshua to know this presence of God? I believe it was to come through the daily meditations upon the Word of God. We read in verses 7 through 9 these words: Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you: do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

As we read and meditate and reflect upon the Word of God we become increasingly more aware of who God is. We begin to share an intimacy with Him that excites our hearts. We don't need to be Bible scholars to appreciate Scripture; we just need to be faithful, consistent Bible students.

T.B. Maston said, The Christians who have turned the world upside down have been men and women with a vision in their hearts and the Bible in their hands. One only has to think of such giants as Martin Luther, John Calvin, William Carey, Jonathan Edwards, D.L. Moody, and Billy Graham to realize the significance of these saints came only because of their devotion to the Word of God.

It has been said that "some Christians drink deeply at the fountain of God's Word; others only gargle." It is time for us to become intoxicated with the Word of God! The times demand this of us if we are to dare hope to make an impact upon our world for Christ.

Lord, I pray, not only for myself, but for all the Village School family, that each day I might learn something new about You. And, as with Joshua, may I have the confident assurance of Your presence. Then I, too, can be strong and courageous for those opportunities which You have prepared for me. I ask this in the precious name of the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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