How to be Failsafe
Today’s Verse:
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 forty years. I believe that he was content being in the role of a servant and soldier. After those forty 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 three million people! God knew that Joshua would 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 had done for Moses and wondered if God would do this 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 failsafe.
Joshua had God’s approval.
God had prepared Joshua for this new role over the previous forty 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 obedience. We do not read one time in the previous forty 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 that He could trust Joshua with power. God knew that He could trust Joshua with His people. God knew that He could trust Joshua with His priorities. God knew that He could trust Joshua with the Promised Land. We must be careful that we do not prop ourselves in a position or a place without God’s approval.
Joshua had God’s anointing.
God told Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will 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 Promised Land was not a walk in the park. The inhabitants of that land were the giants of Canaan. The men that 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 for victory.
Joshua 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 that He would not let Joshua down. He was assuring Joshua of His abiding presence 24/7. He was telling Joshua that the size of the enemy does not matter: you have Me! He was telling Joshua that the high walled cities do not matter: you have Me! He was telling Joshua that the rugged terrain does not matter: you have Me! Joshua was failsafe 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 governments, work righteousness, stop the mouths of lions, quench the violence of the fire, escape the edge of the sword, wax valiant in flight, and turn to flight the armies of the aliens. God was on his side and he would be failsafe.
This morning, God will not fail you as well! God does not forsake you! God is with you! God stands by you; be sure you that are standing for God!
Have a failsafe God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Leviticus 5-7