Joshua 1:1-5 I WILL BE WITH THEE THE GOAL OF CHRISTIAN LIVING. [Joshua 1:1-4] God’s master plan was to have His people in Canaan – the goal to which He was leading them. It was a land flowing with milk and honey. He had promised this land to Abraham. Deliverance from Egypt was in preparation for enjoying Canaan rest. [Heb.3,4]. The foundations of our faith – the new birth and justification, are laid that we may hold the building of the Christian life in sanctification and holiness. We were brought out that we might be brought in.
Many Christians are content to be in the wilderness and remain there. “Just as long as I am saved, that’s all I want.” That is where Christians live in defeat rather than victory. We do not gain the rest God promises by resolutions or by consecration or by prayer or by fasting. We receive the blessings of the promised land by faith and work down from victory rather than trying to work up to victory. The cross and the empty tomb give us the victory. “God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
We only possess what we claim. [Jos.1:3-4]. A generation of doubters died before the land was claimed. Many Christians perish in indulgence, worldliness and sin and are “saved by fire.” Joshua and Caleb “wholly followed the Lord” and went into the promised land of blessing.
There are enemies (seven nations) that try to hold that land. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities ---powers--- rulers of darkness---spiritual wickedness. We must press ahead against every foe and against every assault, knowing that our Joshua has conquered all foes. The book of Joshua is more than a record of events but a revelation of what God can do in and through the life that is yielded to Him.