Joshua was one of only two people who journeyed from the wilderness and into the promised land. In his final message to the nation of Israel just before he died, Joshua reminded them twice of God’s faithfulness – that He was the one who fought on their behalf and that He had never failed to bring victory to the Israelites. He commanded them not to associate with the people who lived in the lands or with their gods, but to remain wholly devoted to God alone. Our devotion to God positions us for a breakthrough. When we are fully devoted to God, our thoughts and actions align with His. We learn to persist through difficult times because of an unrelenting commitment to His call and His cause. These are the ingredients that precede breakthrough and help us punch above our weight, putting to flight a thousand of the enemy! Our devotion will be tested, but we must hold on. Joshua told the Israelites to cling tightly to God – he knew that there would be temptations and tests that would try and draw them away from God. The Bible says that in these last days, the love of many will grow cold. As you start this new year, decide in your heart that this will be a year where you remain fiercely devoted to God’s purposes for you! Begin with the small things. Don’t neglect your times of personal devotion, prayer, and the gathering of God’s people. Choose to remain devoted to God!
Reflect:
1. What are some obstacles stopping you from trusting that God will give you victory? Surrender those thoughts to God and ask Him to give you a new perspective.
2. Think of one practical way that you can continue to express your devotion to God when you face difficult situations (thanking God for all that He has done for you).
Prayer:
Dear God, I know that You are fighting on my behalf and that in You, I will experience victory in every situation. Help me to remain devoted to You by obeying Your commandments, and draw me closer into Your presence. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Joshua 23:6-11
“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. 7 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. 8 But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.
9 “The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. 10 One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. 11 So be very careful to love the Lord your God.