DCLM Higher Everyday 4 January 2024 — Qualities For Conquerors
Topic: Qualities For Conquerors
Text: Joshua 1:1-9
1Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ minister, saying,
2Moses 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.
4From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7Only 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 whithersoever thou goest.
8This 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.
9Have 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.
Key Verse: “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” (Joshua 1:9)
Message
Several years of servitude in Egypt and wanderings in the desert had produced in the children of Israel a mindset of fear, unbelief and low self-esteem. They were afraid to confront their enemies and they were slow to appropriate the promises of God. And those were the people Joshua must lead into the Promised Land. At his induction as the new leader following the death of Moses, God made it clear to Joshua that he needed a different mindset to conquer the land of Canaan and bequeath to the children of Israel the much-coveted inheritance.
He needed courage to face the giants and obstacles in the land. He needed faith to believe in himself and his abilities; to believe in God’s power and promises. He needed to study the word of God diligently and obey the same fully. Those were the qualities Joshua needed to conquer the land. And these are the qualities needed by conquerors in the battle of life. Faith, courage and obedience are important ingredients for success in this new year. They are needed at every phase of our lives.
Quote: He needed courage
Challenge: You need a different mindset to conquer the land.
Prayer for today: O God, help me to pass the trial of my faith.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
