Paths

Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. ~Joshua 1:7 HCSB

Joshua is about to cross over the Jordan with the people of Israel.  God is speaking to him, encouraging him and reminding him to be strong and courageous.  He also reminds him not to turn from the “whole” instructions Moses had given them.  In fact it is a guide for him.  God is telling him not to turn away from it, either to the right or to the left, stay on its path.  If he does follow the word given to Moses, he will have success everywhere he will go.

The word of God is our guide for life.  It is the instruction that was handed down to us through the prophets and the apostles.  We are to read it every day, allow it to become our life.  If we follow the word with all of our hearts and if we stay on the path scripture provides.  We will have success wherever we go.  The key is not to stray from it, either to the right or to the left.  When we compromise the word and chose to follow our own path we will find ourselves in places we don’t belong.  Success doesn’t mean the path will not have ups and downs.  It doesn’t mean, there will not be dangers along the way.  Following God means taking a road less traveled, one that has its own perils and trials.  But what it does mean is we will have God with us.  We need to be strong and courageous in following God and He will fight for us.  He will protect us and see us through the difficulties of life. He will use the ups and downs to build our faith in Him, nothing is wasted on the path with God.  

Lord help us to be strong and courageous in following You.  Help us when we are weak and start to look to our own paths.  Help us to stay straight and true to Your word.  Lord forgive us when we stray, thank you Lord.  Amen