Say No to Complacency
ICS Daily Devotions
Joshua 1:7-8 (NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua was deeply concerned for his people, who had become complacent about the remaining Canaanites. God’s instruction was to remove these people from the land entirely—to drive them out. However, it was easy for them to accept sharing the land with them, even though it was meant to be exclusively theirs. Because the Mosaic Covenant is conditional, Joshua felt led to encourage the people of Israel to continue walking in the ways of the Lord so they could continue to experience God’s blessings.
God reminded Joshua of what he needed to do to succeed and prosper. Because of the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, the people had to observe and obey all that is in the law. God would bless them if they faithfully and obediently followed His commandments and walked in His ways. Consequently, they would enjoy His covenant protection, provision, and all the blessings mentioned therein. They couldn’t achieve a successful conquest if they relied solely on their own abilities because the inhabitants were like giants, whereas they were like grasshoppers, according to the words of the ten spies. It was a mission impossible. Because they couldn’t conquer the inhabitants of the land or enjoy peace on their own, they needed to heed God’s word, follow God and His commandments closely, so that one could chase a thousand.
Praise the Lord for we have an everlasting covenant established with the blood of Jesus Christ and God. However, we will still face the consequences of the decisions we made in the flesh to walk apart from God, even though God loves us unconditionally and remains faithful to His covenant.
Men tend to be forgetful. Therefore, we also tend to become complacent when things are going well for us—when we get a promotion, a stable job, or a safe, secure environment. Therefore, we need to resolve to walk closely with God, follow His lead, and be fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
God commanded His people not to worship other gods or intermarry with the inhabitants of the land but to drive out the remnants completely from the land. Failing to do so out of complacency would result in attacks from these remnants throughout their lives. Likewise, we must address issues in our lives and the sins that easily ensnare us, or else we won’t be able to enjoy the abundant life. The Israelites had to confront the occupants of the land, but we also need to deal with the flesh.
Sermon Series: Resolution for 2026
