Tuesday, May 27th, 2025
I was reading in the book of Joshua recently and I came across a scripture that has been bouncing around in my mind. In the first chapter the Lord is giving Joshua his charge to lead the Israelites into their promised land. Three times in that chapter God tells him to be strong and courageous. That jives with my spirit. Picture God telling you to be strong and courageous with whatever you are facing right now. We know God is the one giving us strength and courage, but we have to make the choice to walk with them. When we can learn to live strong and courageous, there is no power of darkness that can hold us back.
The verse I want to look at today is Joshua 1:7:
7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
The part that I want to focus on is the charge to not turn to the right hand or to the left hand. A look back at the original Hebrew will make this verse come alive. While it is true that we do not want to turn to the literal right or left from where God wants us to go, the interesting caveat in this scripture is that God tells him not to turn to the “right hand or to the left”. According to the Blue Letter Bible, the Hebrew word for right hand means right hand (as stronger and more dexterous). The Hebrew word for left hand means being covered, because of its being wrapped up in the outer garment thrown over the left shoulder.
In walking with the Lord there is a place of optimal dwelling in His presence and His power that does not swing too far to the right or to the left. We are neither dependent on our own physical skill and mental ability nor hiding away and thinking we have nothing to offer our King. Our being is open and laid bare before Him so that He can mold us and make us fit for our purpose. This is the charge He gave to Joshua, and it is just as applicable to us today.
Final Thoughts…
What promised land is God leading you and your tribe towards? Hear Him telling you to be strong and courageous, in fact strong and very courageous. Hear Him telling you not to depend on your own skill and gifting but to seek Him as your first love and source of life. Hear Him telling you to come out from behind your masks and your shame cloths. Let Him wash you white as snow and show you what it’s like to be a child of the greatest King there ever was and ever will be. Our nation and our world need more Joshuas to accept the charge and lead God’s people to the promised land. Are you ready and willing?