God has blessed us to see another year pass and a new year come.

There have been some tragedies and misfortunes in our lives, but we are still here. We are blessed because most of us have our families, our homes, our jobs and most of all, our health and strength. As we look back on the year of 2008, we can strive to do better this new year in 2009.

In the book of Joshua, Chapter One, after the death of Moses, it was time for Joshua to lead the people into the Promise Land, called Canaan.

Moses was a man of God, whose name means “drawn out of the water.” He was the leader of the Israelites in their exodus from Egyptian slavery and oppression. Moses was also a Hebrew. He was denied by God into the Promise Land because of his sin.

God chose Joshua, who was a brilliant military leader and a strong spiritual influence. He was successful and the key to his success was his submission to God.

That is the key to our success today is when we submit to God’s will. When God spoke, Joshua listened and obeyed.

The Book of Joshua has a purpose, and that is to give the history of Israel’s conquest of the Promise Land.

For 40 years, the Israelites wandered in the desert. This was not because they were following their leader. They refused to obey God. Finally, the new generation was ready to cross the Jordan River for a new beginning. Joshua took obedience and demonstration in God as he took up the challenge to lead more than 2 million people into the Promise Land. Joshua served Moses for 40 years and he was committed to obeying God.

If we are going to have a new beginning, we’ve got to do it God’s way.

Doing work God’s way will bring success. He will not lead us wrong or direct us into trouble. Joshua died at 110 years old, but he did it God’s way.

That same God that led the Israelites to the Promise Land is the same God today that watches over us.

The Israelites were listed as God’s chosen people back then. Now through the blood of Jesus, we are all God’s people. When Jesus came, he fulfilled the law and now we are living in the grace era. Israelis will always be God’s people, but thank God we have been adopted into God’s family through Jesus Christ.

As we continue to live for Christ, He wants us to always trust and obey Him. He has not brought us this far to leave us now. He is our only source and hope. He is the answer to all of life problems. He is a God who sits high and looks down low. He knows all that we have to go through in life, and He will be right there.

In Malachi 3:6, the Bible tells us that God’s word does not change.

God is love (1st John 4:8-16).

God is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14).

We need daily contact with God (Luke 11:3).

God is angry with sinful people (Romans 1:18).

If God is all of the above, it is time for a new beginning. Praise God!

In this year of 2009, let us do it God’s way and not ours. Then, we will get to the Promise Land that He has in store for us.