Joshua exhibited many outstanding qualities in his life. Each of us is encouraged to BE A JOSHUA. 
 
SERVE OTHERS. Joshua is introduced to us as "Moses' minister" (Ex. 24:13; Josh. 1:1).  A minister is one who serves. We need the heart of a servant. "…by love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). 
 
ENCOURAGE THOSE AROUND YOU. Moses said, "…your fathers…discouraged the heart of the children of Israel…" (Num. 32:8-9). How did this happen? Deuteronomy 1:28, "Whither shall we go up? our brethren have discouraged our heart, saying, The people is greater and taller than we; the cities are great and walled up to heaven; and moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakims there." They were discouraged by what was said. The fact that Caleb and Joshua would see the land shows that Joshua was not a party to discouragement. Joshua was an encourager! He said, "Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage…" (Josh. 10:25). He encouraged others with the very words God used to encourage him (Josh. 1:9). We need to be careful to encourage and not discourage the heart of our brethren by what we say and do! 
 
WHOLLY FOLLOW THE LORD. It was said, "…none…from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land…" Why? The Lord said, "…because they have not wholly followed me" (Num. 32:11). The only exception to this: "Save Caleb…and Joshua…for they have wholly followed the Lord" (Num. 32:12). I don't know how many men were twenty years old and upward, but only two followed the Lord - wholly! Are we wholly following the Lord? He knows! 
 
BE HONORABLE. Joshua was a venerable man. All Israel "…feared him, as they feared Moses, all the days of his life" (Josh. 4:14). When they "feared" Joshua, it's not that they were afraid of him, but they honored him. We need to conduct ourselves so as to command respect of others, like Joshua. 
       
READ THE WORD OF GOD. Joshua "…read all the words of the law, the blessings and cursings, according to all that is written in the book of the law" (Josh. 8:34). Have you read all that God has said? 
 
LEAVE NOTHING UNDONE. Do you know how much Joshua left undone of all that the Lord commanded Moses? "…nothing…" (Josh. 11:15). The key to this is: "…so did Joshua…" Doers leave nothing undone! 
 
DARE TO STAND. Joshua took a stand when he said, "…choose you this day whom ye will serve…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Josh. 24:15). We are taught "to stand" (Eph. 6:11, 13). It takes courage to stand for the Lord and against the devil! 
 
BE A GOOD INFLUENCE. Joshua was a man of considerable influence for good. Joshua 24:31, "And Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua…." May our good influence help others serve the Lord. 
 
BE A JOSHUA, will you? 

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John Edwards