Be Strong And Courageous

Resolve to Live in the Word

01/20/08 PM

Reading: Joshua 1:1-9

Introduction

At this time, the beginning of a New Year, many look back and examine their lives and resolve to make some changes, changes which it is hoped will lead to success in the New Year. This is what we are going to examine today, a story of a new beginning and the lessons this story holds which might help us achieve success in our New Year. But before we begin it must be realized that true success rests not in what you think of yourself and what you have done, nor what the world thinks of you and what you have done, but what God thinks of you and what you have done. The book of Joshua is a book of new beginnings for the people of God.

Joshua had some very big shoes to fill. Joshua was facing one of the greatest crisis points of his life. He was not only facing the challenge of replacing Moses as the leader of the nation but also of actually leading the people into the promise land.

I.God Knows Those He Calls (vs. 1-3)

“Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel. “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.”

At this point in the story it may seem that Joshua’s call to leadership came suddenly but God spent many years preparing Joshua for this call.

The first time we are introduced to Joshua was in Exodus 17:8, where he is picked by Moses lead the Israelites as they fought the Amalekites.

We next see Joshua in Exodus 24:12-13, “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” So Moses arose with his servant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.” Joshua is now assisting Moses, the leader of Israel.

In Numbers 13-14 we see that the children of Israel have just reached the border of the Promised Land and that twelve spies are sent to see what lay ahead. When the spies returned all agreed that the land indeed flowed with milk and honey. But ten of the spies stated that it was useless to think that they could conquer it. Only Joshua and Caleb declared that the people could and should move on into the land. The people believed the majority report and the result was 40 years in the wilderness and a whole generation that did not inherit the promise.

After forty years in the wilderness, Moses as he was preparing to die asked God to give the people of Israel a leader and God told him that he had chosen Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:1-8 records the words of which God refers to in Joshua 1:2. Words He had spoken to Moses and is now repeating directly to Joshua. Within these words are lessons which may lead to our success in this New Year.

Let’s examine what was said…

II.Be Strong and Courageous (vs. 4-9)

Joshua is facing a mountainous task, having scouted the land forty years before he knows what awaits the children of Israel across the Jordan River. In directing Joshua to lead His people the Lord admonishes him three times to be “strong and courageous” in facing this task. This is not idle encouragement as there are solid reasons for Joshua to be confident in taking up this challenging task, the same reasons which support us in our walk with the Lord.

A.Because of the faithful promise of God Vs 5-6

1.God had promised this land to the descendents of Abraham and it was Joshua who was to lead the people to take possession of what God had given them.

2.God encourages Joshua to be strong and courageous in leading the people forward because of His promise.

3.We can take strength and courage in our Christian walk for the very same reason, because of God’s faithful promises.

a.John 3:16

b.Matthew 6:31-33 “Do not worry then, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear for clothing?’ “For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

c.John 14:1-3 “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. “If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.