Occasion for the Meditation:
As I was preparing to speak at the TAC (The Addiction Connection) conference last week, I was simultaneously progressing through my journey through the Bible in 2026. One of my assigned topics for TAC was Encouraging the Transformed (perhaps it should be transforming). I chose for my foundation text Joshua 1:6-9. Then, this morning I finished Joshua and as I did it occurred to me that there are some principles scattered through this book that could be encouraging to Biblical Counselors as they lead people through the battles to get to the promised plan land of being transformed with reference to what every Canaanites they needed to defeat in their lives. I hope you find this short meditation encouraging and helpful.
If you read the entirety of the book, look for these principles for living your life today that I have abstracted from this biblical account. The Christian life journey of each one of us is a campaign to settle in the Promised Land. As God chose Joshua and place him on the conquest to destroy evil, so each of us who are believers has been chosen and commissioned to a life-long battle with evil—all the challenges of the flesh, the world and the devil in our conquest engage with God to become more and more conformed to the image of Chris (Rom 12:1-2) to reach the goal of First John 3:2, when we see Him like Him (Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (KJV)).
Principle One
Expect to be able to be strong and courageous.
God’s word to Joshua is echoed by Paul when he tells us, “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men” [be courageous (as rendered in the NIV)], be strong (I Cor 16:13). But and this but is very important and necessary to execute command One, to be strong and courageous. There is an “IF”. It is found in verse 8. While it is not stated as an if then statement, we cannot escape the absolute implication. Without continuously meditating in the law (the word of God), we will not be strong and courageous.
Joshua began his campaign into the Promised Land with this command: 1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord it came to pass, that the Lord spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel….6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I promised unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (KJV with two words edited, spake [spoke] and sware [promised] for updated clarity).
Principle Two
Expect victory through commitment to the covenant and affirm the covenant to
ensure continued victory. 1:16-17; 24:19-25
Before Joshua takes up the task of leading the people into battle, he calls them to renew their covenant made under Moses (1:16-17) and when they secured the land and he was at the end of his journey, he called upon them to affirm this covenant. Though I will use this account again, here we should note the prominent example of Peter recommitment (John 21:15-19)
Principle Three
Expect the special encounters with God 5:13-15
When you are walking obediently, expect the occasional encounter with God. (Fourteen years
ago, I was determined to move to the country. I finally found property that I liked within driving
distance—though it was a bit of a commute. As I headed back to the city to put earnest money
on the land, I had one of those encounters. It was real as if the Lord’s angel had just appeared
in the passenger’s seat. While I heard to spoken words, I understood the message, “Son, I called
you to people. They are not gathered out there. They are in the city. I built a home in the city.)
Principle Four
Expect mercy and grace 9:14-27
Even when we are foolish and make important decisions without bathing them in prayer, when
the direction of our lives is characterized by obedience; God will be merciful and extend grace. Ah, yes, our good friend Peter is here our New Testament parallel; he impulsively boasted that he would never abandon Jesus, would even die for him, yet denied him thrice (Luke 22:34) and Jesus showed him grace (John 21).
Principle Five
Expect to be surprised 10:1-14
When you are walking in obedience, you never know how God will deliver His promise. Joshua
prayed (trusted) and God did it. The church prayed and Peter was supernaturally released from prison (Acts12”1-17).
Principle Six
Expect God to Act when the enemy forms a league 11:6-9
When the Canaanite Kings formed a leagued, God says, “I will deliver you.” Reminds us of these New Testament promises: God will not allow temptation beyond one’s ability to endure and will provide a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13), instructs us that if we resist the devil the Lord causes him to flee (James 4:7), and the glorious promised that the Spirit in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
Principle Severn
Expect to accomplish the task when living obediently 14:8
Caleb had faithfully lived obediently and by the time the entered the land he was 85 and his
Promised land was yet untaken. God kept him strong and empowered him to obtain the
promise. Reminds me of the Apostle Paul who writes, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7 (KJV)
Principle Eight
Expect to need to be Diligent 17:14-18
God has given it to you, now exercise diligence to possess it. Rather like sanctification. God sets us apart (sanctifies us) and then gives us the responsibility to possess it by obedience. Discipline oneself for godliness, put off the old man, have our minds renewed through the Word, and put on the new man. I was reminded of 2 Peter 1:1-10. The warehouse of the Word of God has everything we need for life and godliness, but we must diligently put it to work (see verses 5 and 10 where the word, diligent occurs).
Conclusion
Every dimension of the Christian life is a potential battle ground to be conquered. I have walked hundreds of couples through premarital counseling. Most for the first time getting married, but also a goodly number entering a second marriage, even a blended family. No matter how well I did my assigned task, every marriage had occasional Amorite or Canaanite stronghold battleground. Marriage is a constant all-out assault by the devil, hence, regardless of the spiritual maturity of those entering matrimony, they will encounter some battles.
Every pastor will attest to the fact that though he is leading a gathering of professing Christians, he runs into opposition, sometimes downright evil from parishioners. Every mature Christian businessman will witness to the temptation to such evils as cheating, lying, and cutting corners on quality that customer paid for. Every godly young person will face challenges to their faith from grammar school through graduate school.
As believers, daily in our lives regardless of our position, status, socio-economic location, do well to study the book of Joshua and absorb these eight principles for this is how we maintain being courageous and strong. Every one of these principles is an illustration of living by faith and walling in fellowship with Jesus.
Implementation
Prayerfully do a search of the book of Joshua and the New Testament parallels to find these principles in action. Then survey your life and prayerfully write a plan to practice them. Remember Principle One is foundational to the rest.