Reading through this chapter, you can see that Joshua really loves the Lord. You can see Joshua's heart being expressed in words before the leaders of the tribes of Israel.
He begins his farewell by giving glory to Almighty God for all that He has done for them. A very humble man but bold in battle!
Here is his farewell.6 “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.
12 “But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, 13 then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you.
14 “Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. 15 But just as all the good things the Lord your God has promised you have come to you, so he will bring on you all the evil things he has threatened, until the Lord your God has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. 16 If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you.”
I love that Joshua's commitment, devotion and love for the Lord never changed. Here he is reminding Israel about keeping their focus on the Lord their God.
Joshua's farewell is also a message for me and other brother' and sisters in Christ. Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, keep your heart and motives pure. When you love God with all of your heart, you will cherish His Words. His Words will mean the world to you! His Words will direct you, lead you, guide you and sustain you. When we love the Lord with all of our hearts, He fights our battles for us just as He promised.
Oh Lord, how easily we forget your promises when we are faced with challenges. Today Father, I choose to walk with the consciousness of your Presence. May your Words lead me, protect me and sustain me! Love you so much. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
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