Fail-Safe
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. ~Joshua 1:5
Joshua had lived in the shadow of Moses for 40 years. I believe he was content being in the role of a servant and soldier. After 40 years, Moses died and went to be with the Lord. Joshua’s role was changed from servant to superintendent. He was now the leader of 3,000,000 people. God knew Joshua might have some apprehension about this new role. Joshua was thinking about his job: his job description, his job difficulties, and his job dynamics. He was thinking about all that God did for Moses and pondered if God will do the same for him. In Joshua 1:1-9, God met with him and encouraged him. Of the many wonderful things that God told Joshua, He told him, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Joshua was told that in his new role, he was fail-safe.
Joshua was fail-safe because he had God’s approval.
God prepared Joshua for this new role over the previous 40 years. Now that Moses was dead, Joshua was told “Arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people.” He was God’s choice long before he was man’s choice. He had God’s approval because of his obedience. We do not read one time in the previous 40 years that Joshua was a disobedient servant. He had God’s approval because God trusted him. Of all the big things in life, knowing that God trusts us is the biggest. God knew He could trust Joshua with power. God knew He could trust Joshua with His people. God knew He could trust Joshua with His priorities. God knew He could trust Joshua with the Promised Land. We must be careful that we do not prop ourselves in a position or place without God’s approval.
Joshua was fail-safe because he had God’s anointing.
God told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so will I be with thee.” This anointing is the difference maker between a successful ministry and a failed ministry. This anointing refers to having God’s power in his life. Joshua knew that taking possession of the Promise Land was not a walk in the park. The inhabitants of that land were the giants of Canaan. The men whom they would have to conquer towered over the Israelites in size and strength. However, Joshua saw how the anointing of God on Moses gave him victory after victory over foes without and within the camp. When he was told that no man would stand before him, this gave a great assurance to Joshua that the anointing of God was on his life. Without God’s anointing, we are like other men and stand no chance of victory.
Joshua was fail-safe because he had God as his advantage.
God told Joshua, “I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” Think of that: I will not fail thee! God said He would not let Joshua down. He was assuring Joshua of His abiding presence 24/7. He was telling Joshua, "The size of the enemy does not matter: you have Me." He was telling Joshua, "The high-walled cities do not matter: you have Me!" He was telling Joshua, "The rugged terrain does not matter: you have Me!" Joshua was fail-safe because God was his advantage. With God as our advantage, we are more than conquerors. With God as our advantage, nothing is impossible with God. With God as our advantage, we can subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of the fire, escape the edge of the sword, wax valiant in flight, turn to flight the armies of the aliens and out of weakness be made strong. God was on his side, and he would be fail-safe.
This morning, God will not fail you as well. God will not forsake you. God is with you. God stands by you. Be sure you are standing for God!
Have a failsafe God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Timothy 1-3