Grow Strong in God Alone
Devotional Contributor: Chris Rule
Scripture:
Joshua 23:6-8 “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.”
Observation:
What are your famous last words? Joshua had taken up the mantle of leadership from Moses and successfully led the Israelites into the Promised Land. At the end of his life, he gathered them together and spoke to them of what God had done and would continue to do, if only they held fast to the Lord’s instructions. His words in these verses are a direct reflection of Joshua 1:8 “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” His words were both a warning and an encouragement; Israelites, you got this far by trusting the Lord, don’t change course now. Don’t even start to assimilate to the other nations or their gods, as it is a road that leads to destruction. Hold fast, stay strong, in the One who has held you fast.
Application:
It is always fascinating to see how old men finish their career or lives. Did they coast or did they finish strong. Joshua finished well and his last words to the people were encouraging and warning them towards the same. Hold onto the Lord! God has given you clear instructions in his Word, follow it. Don’t think, by looking around you, that someone else might have the key to success or some guru might have the secret. Hold onto the Lord, who has brought you this far, and he will take you the rest of the way home. The temptation to follow something else (usually it is not a god of stone or wood but the god of success, the god of influence, the god of… you name your temptation) is just as real for us as it was for Israel. The only way we will “be very strong” is by holding onto the Word of God as our one ultimate source of wisdom. The moment we begin to compromise, turning “to the right or to the left” from the way the Lord is calling us, is the moment that we will begin to serve other gods, knowingly or unknowingly. What is your north star? Is it the Word of God or something else? Because only holding onto the Word of God will allow you to finish well.
Request:
Dear God, I realize the temptations to chase other gods are all around me. Help me sink my mind deep in your Word, renewing my mind with Your Truth, so that I might honor you in all I say and do. Amen.