A New Job

O. T. #437  "A New Job"
January 12, 2015
Joshua 1-Part 2
Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.  Joshua 1:2

LET IT GLOW

Have you recently changed jobs? Do you face new challenges that it brings? It has been 8 years since I changed jobs. I left teaching elementary children to a less stressful and quieter job, bookkeeper of our tire business. Sure, I miss working with the people and children, but God has lead me in a different direction. I have been able to take care of our granddaughter as she is grown up. I have
time to study and teach God's Word. Also, time to minister to others is available to me. (Not to mention often having lunch with my husband.) I greatly enjoy my new jobs, callings, adventures, though they can be challenging at times.

Joshua has a new job. Due to Moses' death, Joshua was no longer Moses' minister and servant.


Life Application Study Bible has this to say: 

Joshua's new job consisted of leading more than two million people into a strange new land and conquering it. What a challenge-even for a man of Joshua's caliber! Every new job is a challenge. without God it can be frightening. With God, it can be a great adventure. Just as God was with Joshua, he is with us as we face our new challenges. We may not conquer nations, but every day we face tough situations, difficult people, and temptations. God promises, however, that He will never abandon us or fail to help us. By asking God to direct us we can conquer many of life's challenges.

 How are you handling life's challenges? Are you asking God for help?

LET IT GROW

Probably after the 30 days of mourning Moses' death, God spoke to Joshua. The work must go on.
What were His directions?

• Arise-Joshua must arise to finish what Moses began. Christ, our Joshua, does that for us which could never be done by the law of Moses, justifies (Acts 13:39) and sanctifies (Rom. 8:3);
• go over this Jordan, you and all of Israel.-This is the first mention of the Jordan in this book, which more frequently than any other book of the Bible (70 times) refers to the Jordan River. This was a testing of faith, since there was no visible way of getting over it at this place and time, when Jordan was at flood stage all during harvest. (3:15 NIV). God chose that time to show His power. The river was 1,300 feet below sea level and covered 200 miles.
• Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. This was a quote from Deuteronomy 11:24 and originally in Genesis 112:1-7. Verse 4 gives the details of the layout of the land Israel would possess.

God's power was stronger than the 7 nations which occupied the land (Deut. 7:1). God would deliver those into their hands, but Israel was to conquer them and utterly destroy them.

Are we ready to go conquer our Promised Land? Are we prepared to conquer fear, illness, temptations, evil, and pride? When they flood our thoughts causing doubts, what will we do? God's Word is what we need to be successful. Are we ready to walk by faith?

LET IT GO

Arise and go where God leads me.

Trust in His Word.

Obey His Spirit's leading.

Walk by faith.