THE BOOK OF JOSHUA

Joshua |ˈjäSH(ə)wə| (fl. c.13th century bc), Israelite leader who succeeded Moses and led his people into the Promised Land • the sixth book of the Bible, telling of the conquest of Canaan and its division among the twelve tribes of Israel.

Joshua is the 6th book in the Old Testament written by Joshua, the man God chose to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. Joshua is a book of promises fulfilled and fighting for the promise of God on our lives. Promises don’t always come easy—in fact, most often, they don’t come easy at all. Even when we finally receive the promise or the things we’ve been praying for, sometimes we have to fight to keep them—or fight to continue being grateful for them! 

The book of Joshua starts with a promise God gave to Joshua because He knew what the Israelites would be facing in their future: over 31 battles to fight for the land God had promised them. 

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this book continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9

But the land God had promised the Israelites was already occupied by several wicked, very powerful people groups who didn’t believe in God. God had given them many opportunities to turn to Him and repent of their sin—but they didn’t. And now, God was going to help the Israelites conquer all of them to prove His power and glory on the earth. To prove His faithfulness to answer His promise to them. 

God told Joshua that the Israelites would have to trust Him and fight for their promise. But He also reminded Joshua that He would never leave their side. This promise from God to never leave or forsake them carried the Israelites through each battle they fought. It was their reminder that God had been faithful before, and He would be faithful again! God promises never to leave us or forsake us—and He continues this promise by sending us Jesus, and now the Holy Spirit to be our guide. 

God spoke this clearly to Joshua before the battles began because He knew what they would be walking into. He knew they would need truth to stand on when they were afraid and wondering if God had abandoned them. 

But what the Israelites, and now we get to learn from this story—is that the promise is less about the destination and more about our daily journey with God. It is in the daily battles—that we could not win by our own strength—that God shows us His faithfulness. 

Throughout the book of Joshua, the Israelites fight many battles and win every single time. After 40 years of wandering around in the desert and years of battling their enemies to fight for their promise, the Israelites finally received their promise—and God wanted them to enjoy it. To REST in it. 

Imagine this moment. The moment where the Israelites are unpacking in the land God had given them. The Bible says that this promised land had beautiful green pasturelands surrounding it (Joshua 21:42). I can just imagine how incredible that would have been to see. 

“So the Lord gave to Israel ALL the land He had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. And the Lord gave them rest on every side, just as He had solemnly PROMISED. None of their enemies could stand against them, for the Lord helped them conquer ALL their enemies. Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given was left unfulfilled; everything He had spoken came true.” 

I don’t know what you’re walking through today, or what promises you’re waiting for the Lord to answer. But I do know this—the Israelites probably wondered why they had to wander around for 40 years in the desert. They probably wondered why they had to battle so many kingdoms. 

But God knew why. 

God knew that their time in the desert would prepare them and teach them the importance of obedience and learning to hear His voice for the battles ahead. God knew that the only way they would be safe—the only way they could truly rest—would be to defeat all of their enemies before they settled into the land. And God knows exactly why you have to battle for your promise too. 

Joshua ends this book with a command to God’s people. He says, “Fear the Lord and serve Him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshipped… Serve the Lord alone. Choose today who you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!” Joshua 24:14-15

I’m praying for each of us today—that we will put God first and trust in His timing for our lives. That we will trust that He is good, that He loves us, and that He knows exactly what we need. As for me and my house—we will serve the Lord! 

XO-

Sabrina