In this series of lessons (one, two ) from Joshua we are considering Joshua’s characteristics that made him a strong and usable leader for God’s Kingdom work.
Today, let’s focus on the fact that Joshua was a student of God’s Word.
We see God speaking to Joshua in Joshua 1:7-8 (HCSB) "Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.”
From the beginning, the promise of God’s support was based on Joshua’s faithful obedience to the Word of God. He meditated on it. If we are to follow God courageously and do all He asks us to do, we too must be passionate students of His Word. We meditate on it, which means we concentrate on it till we know what God is saying to us. Often we read out assignment for the day and go about our business never really focusing on what God is telling us specifically for that day. We must stay in God’s presence till you know what His Word is saying to us!
Often I listen to the Bible on CD in my car during my commute to and from my office in downtown Nashville. Numerous times God has spoken to me or made a point that I missed when I read the same passage. Sometimes I have to listen more than once to “get it”!
It’s not easy to set time aside to spend in God’s Word. I find that if I have a reading plan it helps me not only do it regularly, but it makes me even hungrier for the Word. Right now I am reading the Bible chronologically for the second year in a row. Last year I took part in a study with women at my church and served as a table hostess to several ladies as we did Iva May’s Chronological Bible Discipleship plan. This year I am reading it on my own using Reader’s Guide to the Bible: A Chronological Reading Plan by George Guthrie. I used the HCSB version last year and this year chose to use The Message.
I also always have a Bible study going on…having just finished James: Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore and am about to being Nehemiah: A Heart that Can Break by Kelly Minter. Additionally, I read several devotional books and online daily devotions. These do not take long at all and just keep me focused throughout the day on my walk with Christ no matter what I am doing.
If we teach the Bible, then we especially must be personally studying the Bible, not just preparing to teach others. We can’t take women where we aren’t heading!
Joshua knew the history of the Israelites and learned from Moses many of the laws and principles God taught. To succeed as we see Joshua did, we too must “carefully observe everything written in it.”
Resources:
Called to Be God’s Leader: How God Prepares His Servants for Spiritual Leadership, Henry Blackaby & Richard Blackaby
Is God Calling Me, Jeff Iorg
