Joshua is best known as Moses’ second in command, who God chose to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses’ death. Joshua’s focus, faithfulness, courage, and obedience led to his effectiveness as one of Israel’s greatest leaders. What can we learn from his life? Several life lessons led to his success, which, if applied, will help us succeed in every area of life.
Meditation
Joshua showed us the importance of meditating on God’s Word. The Lord told him, “Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do” Joshua 1:8 (NLT). God essentially was telling him to “get his head in the Book.” Obedience and success are connected to our meditation.
PSALM 1:2–3 (NLT)
2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.
Meditation is how the Word goes from our heads to our hearts.
PHILIPPIANS 4:8 (NKJV)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure . . . meditate on these things.
Scripture commands us to meditate on the Word of God! In Christian circles, we say that meditate means to mutter the Word, to chew it over and over again similar to the way a cow chews its cud. We are to meditate on scripture again and again—all day, every day, no matter where we are.
Meditation is how the Word goes from our heads to our hearts. Once it’s in our hearts and comes out of our mouths, circumstances and people start to change, and the devil runs!
Storing God’s instructions in his heart was an essential key to Joshua’s victory. It enabled him to keep his mind on what the Lord said. Many times we know that God told us something, but we get distracted. Then the devil bombards us with all kinds of situations. But if we keep our mind on what God told us, we will have the same success as Joshua.
Memory
Joshua also had a good memory. He had a way to remember the right things. At the miracle of the Jordan River crossing, Joshua made sure the people did not forget how God delivered them that day. (See Joshua 4:4–9.) He instructed one person from every tribe to carry a stone out of the river to later make a memorial to the Lord.
Believers ought to have memorials to the Lord—ways to remember what God did for them. I believe every Christian should have a journal where they write down their prayers and how God answered those prayers!
Every day we should fellowship with the Lord. And spend time reminding Him of His goodness and thanking Him for saving us, delivering us, and cleaning us up. Not only does God expect us to remember what He does for us, but He also wants us to tell others about what He has done.
Opportunity
Until we get to Heaven, everyone will face obstacles in life. But we should look at obstacles as opportunities. Our biggest hindrances today may be our greatest opportunities tomorrow.
God told the Israelites to cross the Jordan during springtime. That was the worst time of year, because the river was at its highest tide. It looked like a suicide mission! But they obeyed the Word of the Lord. When the last priest put his foot in the water, the river parted. Joshua’s greatest obstacle became a meaningful opportunity.
After that day, the Bible says the people respected Joshua for the rest of his life. They honored him in the same way they honored Moses (Joshua 4:14). When we keep the right perspective and realize the obstacles we face are really opportunities, God will make a way for us just as He did for Joshua.
Author
Bill Ray
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One Comment on “Life Lessons From Joshua”
True and meaningful messages.Thanks for sharing