The Moral Qualifications Requisite for Entrance Into Canaan

In verse 6, we find spiritual energy, what the apostle Peter calls " virtue." Faith led them to tread everywhere with the sole of their feet; " virtue " was to be added to faith; but it is worthy of note that this energy is not to be found in us; for the people it is found in Joshua; it is in Christ for us. " Be strong and of good courage, for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them." " Blessed is the man whose strength is in Thee.. they go from strength to strength." This principle is of the utmost importance. How many Christians there are who seek to discover strength in themselves, to feel themselves strong for the combat! Their quest, if it does not lead to discouragement, ends in what certainly is not worth more, self-satisfaction. Power is not there, it is in Christ, but in Christ for us. And-why is it given to us? Is it to render us great in our own eyes, or to puff us up.? Far from it; but to lead us into the path of obedience. (Ver. 7.) It is little children who, learn to obey. Strength makes us small; it makes an atom of man, in order that the power of Christ may be exalted.
We find a beautiful example of this truth in Judg. 6 " The angel of the Lord appeared unto Gideon and said unto him: the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor." These two things are closely united: strength was his in the Lord Himself. " Go in this thy might," said the Lord looking upon him; and he is immediately seized with the sense of his own nothingness: his family was the poorest in Manasseh, and he the least in his father's house. And the Lord said unto him: " Surely I will be with thee."
Obedience is always governed by the word of God. God gives strength to Joshua, in order, He says, " that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law of Moses." But besides the spiritual energy necessary to obey, there must be something more. He adds in verse 8: " This 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." There must then be, besides divine energy, diligent care to appropriate the thoughts of God. He says: meditate therein, in order to obey. ' Is that our aim when we study the word of God? Often we like to read for the sake of instruction, which is of itself a good thing; at other times, so as to be able to impart to others, also an excellent thing in its place; but, let me say again, do we habitually read it for the purpose of diligently obeying? If it were so, how it would change the whole current of Christians' lives!
He adds: " Meditate therein day and night." There are some Christians who read a chapter (alas, a verse perhaps!) every morning as a sort of amulet to preserve them throughout the day. Is that meditating day and night on the word of God? What about our occupations? do you say? Well, let me ask you in return: In the midst of your occupations, is it the word given by God which nourishes you-that word given for your soul's enjoyment, and to guide you in the path of Christ? That is the way to " have good success in our ways and to prosper."
In verse 9 we find a further principle: " Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage." What power the assurance of God's mind gives! All indecision as to the path, all terror, all fear of the enemy disappear. Satan cannot harm us; has not God commanded us? Such then are the principles which should govern the heart that would enjoy heavenly things and fight the battles of the Lord. It is blessed to see them stated quite at the beginning of this book, before Israel has taken a single step, in such a way as to place him in possession of well-furbished weapons wherewith to obtain the victory.