I am incredibly blessed to live in my literal Promised Land. I prayed and waited six years for the vision God whispered to my heart to materialize in what is now our small farm. It’s been quite the Jesus led adventure so far.
In other areas of my life, I am approaching the Jordan River, asking the Lord to go before me and part the waters for my figurative and spiritual Promised Land.
I’m realizing it may take me years to unpack what it means to live on the other side of the Jordan. The balance is tricky of dwelling in God’s presence and using the sword of the Spirit. Maybe that’s why I’m kind of obsessed with studying Joshua and the millions who crossed over into the promises of God.
If you feel like you are beginning to enter into what God has promised you, either figuratively or literally, or you’re starting to really believe God keeps His promises, I want to share a secret with you.
The future God has for you in your Promised Land is beautiful, full of bountiful blessings and life lived with God’s very presence, but it’s not easy.
So, lean in close and listen to God.
Completely rely on God and not your logic.
Open yourself up to what only God can do even if you can’t.
Raise the sword of the Spirit.
Believe in miracles.
Listen to the God’s truth and not your feelings.
Keep moving forward and don’t go back.
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 1:9 (NLT)
In the Promised Land, you’ll have reason to be strong and courageous. (Any time God tells us to “be” something three times before we need it, you’ll have a reason to be it.)
So many of us want to turn back to the desert when we have to use our God-given strength and courage. We think something is wrong with us, with the situation, or with God’s plans when there’s a battle to be won.
But if the literal Promised Land of the Old Testament teaches us anything, it’s this: Joshua’s real battle, just like ours, was to believe God would make him strong and courageous, and that He would accomplish what He had already established in the Spirit. Joshua knew possessing the promise wasn’t really about the land but about trusting the God who was giving it, and he knew the process was worth following God — for himself, his friends, and future generations.
Each time Joshua faced another opportunity to use the strength and courage God gave him, it was not only about seeing evil defeated but also about watching God work in a personal way to bring Joshua and those who followed him into a deeper relationship with their Savior. Isn’t it the same with us?
In every battle we face, visible or not, God is giving us the opportunity to rely solely on Him and watch the Miracle Worker in action.
Joshua was hailed as a fearless warrior and courageous leader, but being an excellent listener of God’s truth and uncompromisingly obedient was what truly made him successful. God was the ultimate leader and warrior for His people. He determined the outcome before the battle began. He gave instructions on how and when to fight. Joshua picked up his sword and did as he was told, but God received the glory from each victory.
“Do not be afraid of them,” the Lord said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”
Joshua 10:8 (NLT)
Instead of focusing on each battle, Joshua focused on God because God gave the victory to them before they even fought. God protected and provided. God’s name became mighty and invincible. The enemy was already defeated before God’s people showed up.
God is giving you your Promised Land. He has already given you victory in Jesus, just like Joshua. Trust Him to give you the courage and strength you need to live as more than a conquerer in Christ and possess the land. Remember the focus is not about your blessings or the battles or even the victories but about dwelling with God in all of His glory in the very spot promised for you.
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My husband and I have been reading in Joshua and Judges this spring: two books,side by side, but the Jordan River is running between them, and the cyclical disobedience of a nation who has been given just exactly what they wanted and needed by a loving God is such a warning to me. (“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it . . .”)
And now, Stephanie, I’m grateful for your admonition today not to forget God in the journey toward Him.
Blessings to you!
I’m so glad I’m not the only one studying the Old Testament! 🙂 It is sobering at times and makes me incredibly thankful for the mercy of Jesus. You put it so well…they got everything they asked for and still rebelled. If we are focused on the promises & blessings and not the Promise Giver, we will miss the whole point. God wanted His people to BE with Him. Thanks for reading today.
What s fabulous message to carry us through the day. Thank you!
I am going to print this off and give it to my son, Daniel. He is being confirmed this coming Sunday and Joshua 1:9 is his confirmation verse. God has given him a message through your words! Thank you! Amen!
Please give him my congratulations on such an important decision!
I am amazed at God’s perfect timing. Today, I am having to be strong and courageous. Today, my autistic son, who is 34, is going into a group home. He has been in one before when he went into a special school as a teenager, but that turned out badly. After years of having him with me, praying for him, loving him and on him to heal his emotions, God has led me to allow him to go into one close to home. His father left years ago and doing this alone hasn’t been easy, but God taught me to be strong and courageous. Today, he goes into this beautiful home setting not because of I need a break, but because God has spoken to my heart that he needs a form of his own life like his brothers and I need to move into the ministry He has been working on in me for over 25 years. Today, the battle to win over condemnation begins. The battle to not stay silent anymore begins. I didn’t sleep much last night and my son’s anxiety decided to roar high pitch today, so I decided to check my email before facing this hard day and there this wonderful post was waiting. Thank you Father for the strength and good courage you are giving me today. I now know I am ready and so is my son.
Your situation is so hard & exciting at the same time. I’m so humbled God used my words to confirm your decision. Praying for a day filled with unforeseen blessings & a smooth transition for both of you. Thank you for loving your Savior and your son so well.
Tammy,
Praying for you today. May God bring peace & contentment to your soul. Raising children in today’s world is hard-doing it alone for a son who is autistic is even harder. God knows your every need & He will be right there with you. Focus on Him & the transition will go smoothly. May God continue to richly bless you & your family! You are already brave & courageous. I’m blessed to pray for you now.
Father,
Give Tammy & her son a peaceful transition. Help him to fit in & make friends. Allow her the contentment she needs for her weary soul. Watch over them & help them win this battle!
AMEN!
(((((Hugs)))))
Beautiful prayer, Beth! Thank you for taking a moment to life Tammy and her son to the Lord.
God bless you, Stephanie for the words of encouragement so many of us needed to hear today. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Stephanie! What a wonderful message you shared, which I certainly need! So happy for you having your farm, I grew up on a farm and cherish those memories, but probably will never be able to go back. Cherish your times with Gabrielle, so neat you have tea parties with her, that is one of those God-given privileges ~ being a godly Mother and only you can fill those shoes! And it will make the life-long difference in her precious life, that no one else can be exactly what she needs in you!
I am so blessed that our Lord provides me some times with my precious Granddaughter to have tea parties and other special activities. She loves it, and so do I. I know the fellowship/relationship we share and the love, time and attention I pour into her little heart will make a difference for life. Praise the Lord for these Little Ones!
It’s fun to pour love into the next generation, isn’t it? I’m thankful I am able to dwell with her in the promises of God.
Stephanie,
Studying the Israelites always amazes me. They can see miracle after miracle and yet rebel against almighty God. In two years God has allowed me to witness two miracles. Now I have complete faith in His word & timing. I may not like the situation, but I will be strong & courageous. Knowing that He has this. My philosophy is “If God says it then it is true”! We need to stop looking at the situation itself & how bad it is & start trusting in a bigger & stronger God. He will deliver us in His perfect timing.
Blessings 🙂
Thank you Beth for confirming that miracles do still happen. I guess I’ve sorta stopped expecting them, because it’s been a long time since I or anyone else in the circle of people I know have exerienced any. I am so happy to see that “now [you] have complete faith in His word & timing.” -> gives me hope I might experience that (COMPLETE faith) too someday 🙂 !
Love to you my dear sister,
Mary
Little Mary,
Miracles have happened when I wasn’t expecting one, for you, that doesn’t mean there isn’t one in the making.
Prayers that whatever your’s happens to be, will be still your heart…….
Blessing to you,
Penny
Thank you, Penny, for your kind words and prayers!! You really are a blessing 🙂 and may the Lord encourage and bless you in return!!
Yes, waiting on the Lord for His miracles is always worth it – for both the outcome and our faith in the only Miracle Maker. Praising Jesus for making Himself known to you!
Thank you for expressing what I have been feeling and thinking but haven’t really put to words as I embrace my dream for my book First Breath of Morning to be published and now crossing over to its upcoming release October 1st.
I am so happy for your family and your life on the farm.
Congratulations on your new book! Glad these words could spur you on.
Dear Stephanie,
The joy and trust in the Lord you exress makes me praise Him for His goodness!! Thank you for this beautiful post! I will hang it on the wall of my room to remind me of His goodness when I’m starting to drift away from the sunshine of His love!
Mary, I pray you will experience this same joy & trust in the Lord. He loves you so much!
Stephanie,
This puts everything so beautifully into perspective, thank-you for sharing.
Have a blessed day all,
Penny
This is just what The Lord ordained for me to read this morning. I am in a desert and walking out slowly with strength, courage, and a fight in The Spirit that I have never felt before. Thank you SB for these words and including His Word as well.
I LOVE when the Holy Spirit is overwhelmingly close, ever present and such a dear guide for us. Keep following close. Don’t turn back. We all need you to listen and obey whatever God is telling you to do. He will be glorified thru you.
Through the daily reading plan I’m using currently, I’ve just begun Deuteronomy. In a similar tone as you state regarding Joshua, the history of the Israelite’s journey into the promise land is written by Moses. Just before opening this email, I was crying out to the Lord for the faith to be like Caleb and Joshua rather than the rebellious ones who were left to perish in the wilderness. I can struggle with those feelings you wrote about which come so strongly as I look at my circumstances: mostly isolated because of an environmental illness in which I become so very ill and dysfunctional when exposed to so many things our culture uses daily (e.g. fragrant personal care and cleaning products, chemicals in building supplies, etc.). I’ve been living with this illness for over 25 years and in the wilderness of being homebound for over ten years. Yet, hope in the miracles of God continues to draw me into prayer for just that. Like another said, I’ve never really experienced a physical miracle per say (though I’m exceedingly grateful for the spiritual miracle of new birth — faith in Christ as Lord and Savior!). But, I keep thinking there has to be a first time, right? I so agree with you, though, that my heart’s desire is to know the Lord, the Giver, even more than the gifts He gives. I’m praying that my heart stays in tune with this mindset — and I pray this for all the saints! I thank Him for this encouragement today!!
I’m so sorry you have suffered for so many years. I pray He will give you wisdom & health. I have personally experienced God’s healing in my life. He truly is the God of miracles. He can do it for you, too. I will pray so.
Beautiful and so relevant to my life right now. Thank you for the encouragement and the reminder to get back into the word!
How I needed Joshua 1:9 today. i went with my invalid husband to the doctors this morning as he has not been well with infected eczema and as I had a heart attack 18 months ago I am feeling very tired however he is making good progress with my amateur nursing skills. The doctor examined him and said he is doing well and I just asked him to look at a funny spot on my tummy. He took a picture and said he would refer it to the regular meeting the surgery has each day and would phone me. This afternoon I had a call from him and he said he wants me to have further examination at the hospital as it is a possible cancer.
I am so frightened NOT for me but what they find as I now have an appointment for a weeks time at the clinic and my husband is not really able to care for himself. He is 90 this year and I am 88 next week so it looks as if I might not be celebrating.
You can understand why I am writing Joshua out on paper and putting it so I can see it.
Bless you for this article.. it will give me strength.
Please pray for me
So sorry you and your husband are dealing with such hard health issues. I will be praying for healing where needed, health & energy for you both.
Thank you.
May, along with Stephanie and any others, I join you in praying Joshua 1:9 for your heart as well as your husband’s. May the Lord bless you with the very courage and strength we are asking for as we cling to the words of Apostle Paul, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Bless you both!
Thank you I am sure prayers will help me.xq
Wow! Thank you so much for this amazing devotion. I am still praying for my vision to unfold and take great comfort in studying the Israelites journey to their promised land.
Draw near to God and He will reveal Himself to you. His daily direction will flow from that closeness.
Hey Stephanie. My (beautiful) mom emailed this post to my husband and I because she thought we’d find it encouraging for the season we’re in in our ministry. She was right. Thank you for reminding us not only to be strong and courageous, but also that there’s a reason we need to be strong and courageous.
You bless me, Adriel! During YOUR book release week you choose to comment here. I’m incredibly thankful God gave me words that will help you prevail on your journey with Him. He’s so good to us!
Thank you for this reminder to be strong in the Lord. It was just what I needed.
Thank you for your perspective it was very thought provoking. 🙂 I always think of my promise land being heaven. We are just passing through. And wherever God has us now He want to use us as a light. No matter what state or place we are in because He has put us just where he has us so we can do His will. Whether pray warrior or many others… Rom 12 : 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Look at Abraham he wandered in tents all his life until — heaven.
Thank you Jesus, being able to listen to Him is so important, be still and the battle is His.
Could you please tell me more about Joshua and God giving us courage? I’m preparing to host Chapel at my school and I want to not only inspire my peers but connect with God’s messages on a deeper level. This blog is really helping me do that however, so thank you!