(from Joshua 23:5-6)
Everybody wants God’s blessing. We ask for it. We pray for it. We even expect it sometimes.
But truth is, God’s blessings we all desire don’t just fall on anybody.
Joshua gave us a clear picture of how to access those blessings before he died. He knew what it was like to see God move in power, and he also knew what it took to keep that blessing going.
Let’s take a look at what he said in Joshua 23:5-6:
“And the Lord your God, he shall expel them from before you, and drive them from out of your sight; and ye shall possess their land, as the Lord your God hath promised unto you. Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.”
Joshua saw God work in amazing ways. Cities fell. Kings were defeated. The land of promise was theirs. But he wasn’t telling them to get comfortable. He was warning them—If you want to keep God’s blessing, there’s a way to live.
Here’s three things we see in these verses:
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1. Be Very Courageous
God had already won the battles. But Joshua told them to still be very courageous. Why? Because obeying God’s Word takes guts. It’s easy to follow when everybody agrees. It’s harder when the crowd goes the other way.
Courage isn’t just for the battlefield. It’s for the classroom, the job, the church pew, and even the living room. It takes courage to say no to sin. It takes courage to stand when others bow.
“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13
If you want to walk in God’s blessing, you must be brave enough to follow Him, even when it’s not popular. God don’t bless cowards.
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2. Do All
Joshua said to “keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law.” Not some. Not most. Not the parts you like. All.
Partial obedience is still disobedience. Imagine if Noah built half an ark, or if Moses stopped halfway through Egypt. Doing part of God’s will won’t bring full blessings.
“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” — John 14:15
Jesus didn’t say pick and choose. He said obey. If we want His presence, we have to follow His path. That means all of it, even the hard stuff.
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3. Turn Not
Joshua warned them “turn not aside… to the right hand or to the left.” That means stay steady. Don’t get distracted. Don’t get pulled off the path.
Sometimes it isn’t sin that stops people—it’s distractions. Side roads look nice, but they don’t lead to the promised land. Keep your eyes on the Lord. Stay in His Word. Don’t drift.
“Let your eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.” — Proverbs 4:25
Also—“No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” — Luke 9:62
If you want God’s best, stay the course. No turning left. No turning right. And definitely no turning back.
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God wants to bless you. He’s already promised victory, just like He did to Israel. But to live in that blessing, you’ve got to do your part. Be courageous. Obey fully. Stay straight.
That’s how you access the blessing.
Not by luck.
Not by chance.
But by courage, obedience, and direction.
Just like Joshua said.
