I wrote yesterday that the Bible’s History section is a continued record of God’s dealing with his people, and Joshua opens matter-of-factly with

After the death of Moses the servant of GOD, GOD spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant… (Joshua 1.1, MSG)

And here’s what God said, parsed out for clarity:

Moses my servant is dead.

• Get going.
• Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people.
• Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea.
• It’s all yours.

All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you.

• In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you.
• I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you.

Strength! Courage!

• You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.
• Give it everything you have, heart and soul.
• Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going.
• And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you?

Strength! Courage!

• Don’t be timid;
• don’t get discouraged.
• GOD, your God, is with you every step you take. (Joshua 1.2 – 9, MSG)

Some good words as we go into a New Year:

• Don’t live in the past. Carry out the mission God has for you. If you don’t know what that is, ask Him!

• God is with you…especially when you’re on mission!

• “Be strong and courageous” (is how it reads in the standard versions). You will succeed. Live by the Word. Meditate on the Word.

• “Be strong and courageous” – don’t be timid or discouraged.

Paul echoes…

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15.58, ESV)

God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. (Ephesians 6.10 – 13, MSG)