Strength Begins with Submission

God’s work continues even when God’s workers change.

God buries His servants, but His purpose marches on.

And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.Deuteronomy 31:7-8

God’s presence, not a personality, is the anchor of courage.

For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:Acts 13:36

God defines success as obedient faith before Joshua ever takes a step.

God promises victory but ties it to walking where He commands.

If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:Isaiah 1:19

God measures success by obedience to His Word, not by visible results.

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.1 Samuel 15:22

Lasting strength flows from constant meditation on God’s Word.

God calls Joshua to keep the Book in his mouth before he keeps a sword in his hand.

Meditation leads to obedience, and obedience leads to God’s kind of success.

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.John 14:21

Success, in God’s eyes, is always directly connected to obedience.

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.Luke 11:28

Prosperity should never result in idolatry.

Beware that thou forget not the LORD thy God, in not keeping his commandments, and his judgments, and his statutes, which I command thee this day: Lest when thou hast eaten and art full, and hast built goodly houses, and dwelt therein; And when thy herds and thy flocks multiply, and thy silver and thy gold is multiplied, and all that thou hast is multiplied; Then thine heart be lifted up, and thou forget the LORD thy God, which brought thee forth out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage;Deuteronomy 8:11-14

Far more people have been ruined by prosperity than poverty.

God commands courage because He guarantees His presence.

Courage is a command grounded in God’s nearness, not in self-confidence.

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.Deuteronomy 31:6

The obedient courage of Joshua points forward to the perfect obedience of Jesus.

And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.John 8:29

And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.Philippians 2:8

Remember that the God of Moses and Joshua is your God, too.

Let Scripture, not culture or feelings, define what a “successful” life, ministry, or family looks like.

Build a simple, daily rhythm of getting God’s Word in your mouth, mind, and decisions so your strength is built from the inside out.

When fear comes, answer it with obedience. God promises to be with you as you follow Him.