Courageous Obedience (Pt.2)

Part 2

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”-Joshua 1:7-9

God instructed Joshua that courageous obedience would require him to study, meditate and obey the Word of God. First, God instructed Joshua to study this book of instruction continually. Study means to read with the intention of learning; to investigate and analyze. Would you say your level of engagement with God’s Word rises to the level of study? Paul, when writing to his apprentice Timothy, referred to study as rightly dividing God’s truth:

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”-2 Timothy 2:15

We have each been called to be diligent in our investigation and analysis of God’s Word. We cannot lean on another person’s understanding or revelation of God’s truth. We must dig into ourselves and dissect the Word and discover its’ promises. 

Then, God instructs Joshua to meditate on His Word. To meditate means to think deeply and focus one’s mind upon. This is a continual contemplation of God’s Word in the context of our current circumstance:

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”- Philippians 4:8

Mediation is the discipline of keeping God’s Word at the forefront of our hearts and minds. Meditating on God’s word helps transition us from comprehension to application, which is the final instruction God gave Joshua. 

He told Joshua that the final key to courageous obedience is put into practice those things we’ve have studied and learned: 

“But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.”-James 1:22

Obedience isn’t fully realized until what we have studied and meditated on has been applied to our lives and lived out. When it comes to courageous obedience remember these three simple truths: 

Courageous obedience means living according to God’s Word rather than our own fleshly passions and pursuits.  

Courageous obedience means living according to God’s Word in the face of societal norms. 

Courageous obedience means living according to God’s Word although we may have to sacrifice comfort for the sake of obedience. 

Scott Burr

Dayspring Community Church