And I have declared that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, to a land flowing with milk and honey.  
Exodus 3:17 AMP

Therefore you shall keep all the commandments which I command you today, that you may be strong and go in and possess the land which you go across [the Jordan] to possess.  Deuteronomy 11:8 AMP

When the Lord says that He is going to do something – He WILL do it! However, He needs a man or a woman of faith to take a stand and to trust Him and to obey Him, in order to bring it to pass!

When Moses was getting ready to obey God and take the Israelites into the Promised Land, he sent twelve scouts ahead – one from each tribe into Canaan – to spy out the land. Even though it truly was a land of “milk and honey”, ten of the spies brought a bad and fearful report about the people living there, and only two brought a report of hope and faith in the Word of Almighty God! Joshua and Caleb testified to the Israelites in Numbers 14:7-9 AMP: “The land through which we passed as scouts is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the Lord, neither fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their defense and the shadow [of protection] is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us. Fear them not.” The people were so negative and fear-filled at that time, that they reacted angrily to Joshua and Caleb’s faith and even wanted to stone them. Now God was calling Joshua to stand up and finish what Moses started and lead this same nation – albeit the next generation – into their promised land! In the natural, it was a daunting task. Would the people follow Joshua and his faith in God, or would they do what they did to Moses? Joshua had no way of knowing. He needed faith and he needed courage; most of all he needed the Lord’s help in a powerful way, every day! Whatever God has called YOU to do – you are going to need faith and courage to accomplish it!

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you. 7 Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 And the Lord He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:6-8 NKJV

And [the Lord] charged Joshua son of Nun, Be strong and courageous and firm, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land which I swore to give them, and I will be with you.  Deuteronomy 31:23 AMP

In Joshua 1:1-9, God gives Joshua his winning strategy:

– Be strong
– Be confident
– Be of good courage
– Do according to the law which Moses commanded you
– Turn not from My words to the right or the left
– This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth
– Meditate on it day and night
– Observe and do according to all that is written in it

This is not just Joshua’s winning formula, but it is mine and yours, too. If we want to see victory and success in our own lives, then we need to do what Joshua did!

First, we need God’s personal plan for our lives. God does have a plan for each of us! We must find out what that plan is and obey God in it.

Secondly, we need to believe that God is for us, not against us. We need to have strong faith in His Word and His promises. We need to throw away all our fear; we need to stand up and be strong, confident, and of good courage. Nothing and no one can stand before us, when God is on our side!

Thirdly, we need to obey God precisely. We must be personally submitted to God’s written Word and we must also obey the Spirit of God, when He directs us. God’s will is His Word! You can only receive and experience the blessings of God when you are in the will of God. Don’t think that you can be rebellious, disobedient to God’s Word, and carnal, and still have the blessing of God on your life! Don’t turn from God’s Word – to the left or the right! We must consistently measure our lives against God’s Word and be making the adjustments to line our heart and life up with His will.

Fourthly, we must spend time in God’s Word to build our faith. Romans 10:17 NKJV says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” We can’t be courageous if we don’t have faith in God. We can’t have faith in God if we don’t have God’s Word in us.

Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord.  Psalm 27:14 AMP

The Lord tells Joshua – if you do these things then:

– You will cause these people to inherit the promised land
– You will prosper wherever you go
– You will make your way prosperous
– You will deal wisely
– You will have good success

Then the Lord reminds Joshua again:

– I’m commanding you
– Be strong
– Be vigorous
– Be very courageous
– Do not be afraid
– Do not be dismayed
– The Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

When you absolutely trust and obey God, and DO what He tells you to do, then you are going to be successful! And God WILL be with you wherever you go!