Laura Ingle 

Key scripture – “You have seen everything the LORD your God has done for you.” (Joshua 23:3).

After Moses died, Joshua was chosen by God to lead Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua was a great successful warrior and leader, however, he did not take the credit for what he had accomplished in his life, instead he gave it all to God.

In Joshua’s final words to Israel, we find the well-seasoned successful warrior, now a “very old man,” pointing to God as the reason for all Israel’s victories. “You have seen everything the LORD your God has done for you during my lifetime. The LORD your God has fought for you” (Joshua 23:2-3).

His focus wasn’t on himself or his accomplishments as a leader, but on what God had “done,” and what God “will” do, “The Lord your God himself will push them out for your sake. He will drive them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.” (Joshua 23:5).

As a successful leader, Joshua also stressed the importance of being “careful to follow” God and His commands, “Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.” (Joshua 23:6).

Successes in life can sometimes cause us to think it’s all about us. We can become prideful and think it was our performance, our abilities, our resources that made good things happen and that is exactly what we are warned about in Deuteronomy 8:11-18.
“Take care lest you forget the Lord your God by not keeping his commandments and his rules and his statutes, which I command you today, lest, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and live in them, and when your herds and flocks multiply and your silver and gold is multiplied and all that you have is multiplied, then your heart be lifted up, and you forget the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, who led you through the great and terrifying wilderness, with its fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground where there was no water, who brought you water out of the flinty rock, who fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, that he might humble you and test you, to do you good in the end. Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.” (Deuteronomy 8:11-18).
Much like the idolatry Joshua warned the Israelites to avoid in his closing address (Joshua 23:7, Joshua 24:15), our self-worship will also lead to dreadful destinations.

“That you may not mix with these nations remaining among you or make mention of the names of their gods or swear by them or serve them or bow down to them.” (Joshua 23:7).

“And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
(Joshua 24:15).

As we start to see more and more clearly that it’s God who “fights for [us]” we will truly love and worship Him, and we’ll find our praise for what He’s done for us easily rolling off our lips.
“One man of you puts to flight a thousand, since it is the Lord your God who fights for you, just as he promised you. Be very careful, therefore, to love the Lord your God.” (Joshua 23:10-11).
We’ll humbly acknowledge it’s all about Him! That there is no good apart from God, because all good things come from God.

Reflect today on what God has done in your life. Rejoice in His faithfulness. Remember all that He has done for you. As Joshua stated, “Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the LORD your God has come true” (Joshua 23:14).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, forgive me for my prideful thoughts. I am nothing without You. “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” (Proverbs 16:18). You are the one who gave me the ability to do what I do and You give me my next breath. I give all the glory and praise to You. Without You, I am nothing. Use me as Your instrument of grace to bring glory, honor and praise to Your Name. All good things come from You and everything is made by, through, and for Jesus. The center of my universe is You and I am hear to serve You, and to seek Your Kingdom and Your righteousness. Show me Your Will and what You have planned for me today, and I will gladly follow and serve You. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.