LORD, I am prepared to take possession of the land You are giving me.

Today’s Scripture: Joshua 1:11, NKJV- “Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’ ”

It is time to go. Within three days you will be going into the land the LORD is giving you. Are you are prepared? God told Joshua it was time to go and take the land He had promised to Moses. Do you think there was a part of Joshua, like us, when we have a little insecurity or sheer panic that the time is now? Maybe it is the procrastinator or the perfectionist in me, but I even feel nervous for Joshua and the Israelites. Do you mean NOW, God?

God promised Joshua that He would never leave him nor forsake him. Yet, in Joshua 1:6, 1:7, and 1:9 God encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous. We need this encouragement and assurance from God as well, don’t we? It is no coincidence, I am sure that squeezed in between these verses, in Joshua 1:8, God commanded Joshua that “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

For true prosperity and success, we must do the same. For strength and courage, we also must keep God’s Word on our lips and meditate on them day and night. Why day and night? So, we leave no room for our hurts, habits, and hangups to keep us from going and doing what God Himself has called us to do.

The Word of God prepares us, at a moments notice, to be ready to go and do what God has prepared for us. Joshua 1:9 has always been one of my favorite verses in all of God’s laws, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

God knows our fears, discouragements, and hesitations. Staying with and in His Word, we are armed with strength and courage to act now. Day after day God’s Word prepares us. Day after day we come to know what God is commanding each of us. We are prepared, you know.

In the next two verses, Joshua 1:10-11, Joshua acted immediately and commanded the officers to go and tell the people that “In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you.”

Joshua did not take time to ask why. He did not waste time trying to figure out how. His trust in the LORD and His law left no room for the what ifs. Just as the tribes of Israel replied in Joshua 1:16 we can reply “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.”

Do you know in your heart that God is calling you to a land to possess? Prepare yourself to go. Be strong and courageous. He is with you wherever you go.

Today’s Prayer: LORD, thank You for preparing us with Your laws. Help us keep Your laws on our lips and fill us with mediation upon Your commands day and night. Equip us with Your Word. Fill us with Your strength and courage. I praise You and trust You to prepare us and the way. Keep Your Word in me and show me the way. You are my God and whatever You have commanded, I will do and wherever You send me I will go. Prepare me Father God and tell me where and when it is time to go. Amen.