Charting The Course On The Road To Success

Sermon. Charting the Course On the Road to Success

Scripture Text: Joshua 1:5-9 “No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Introduction: Charting the Course On the Road to Success. What is success and how do we get there. By gaining clarity on your definition of success, you can begin to chart a course that aligns with your aspirations. Once you have a clear vision in mind, the next step is to set achievable goals. Break down your overarching vision into smaller, actionable steps that you can work towards each day. This is a lesson on how God selected Moses’ replacement and then charted Joshua’s course on the road to success.

God said to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.” Joshua must embrace his leadership challenge as an opportunity to help the people of Israel to possess the land. One of the most critical lessons in Joshua achieving success will be maintaining his focus and obeying God’s instructions. God gives Joshua a direct command, emphasizing that the time for mourning Moses' death is over, and it's time to take action. God instructs Joshua to lead the people across the Jordan River into the land He promised to their ancestors.

There will be adversity. Did I tell you, that the Jordan River was above flood stage, the people were disgruntle and that Joshua was no Moses? Adversity is an inevitable part of any journey, but how one responds to it makes all the difference. God offers Joshua and us a sure way to meet the challenges that are ahead. God’s will for Joshua and us is that we have good success. Nehemiah successful build the walls because God gave him good success. Joseph was called a successful man as a slave on his way into Egypt because God was with him. Moses led the people of Israel out of Egyptian bondage to the borders of the Promised Land because God was with him. In our text today, Joshua is told if he would keep the word of God in his heart, meditate on it day and night, putting in practice what he reads and do it, He would have good success. Standing on the banks of the Jordan river, in Moses’ stead, leading an unruly people, God uses this moment to encourage Joshua. God places the emphases on this book of the Law. Joshua’s challenge is to read it, keep it, meditate on it, to speak it and put it in to constant practice. Joshua was to make the word of God a pattern for his life.

It is interesting to note that no one have ever been given instructions this way before. Remember, God spoke to Abraham in an audible voice; Joseph received his revelation from God in a series of dream; God spoke to Moses audibly through a burning bush, yet Joshua standing on the threshold of a new beginning, had to receive his direction from the word of God, the book of the Law. Yet that’s exactly how we receive God’s directions today. Moses left Joshua the first five books of the Bible and it would be enough if he would make studying the Scriptures his constant practice. If we are to be successful navigating this new season, with all its uncertainty, wars and rumors of wars, political unrest, deception and lies, the Word of God must be our constant practice.

Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it. Whatever affairs of this world we are responsible for, we must not neglect the one thing most needful. The word of truth is the most needed thing. All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God. Joshua must himself be under command; no man's authority, position or title sets him above the law of God. Joshua is to encourage himself with the promises and presence of God. We must not allow our sense of weakness to dishearten us. Remember, God is all-sufficient. God has commanded, called, and commissioned Joshua to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it. When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was borne up under his sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father. Joshua had witnessed plagues, endure judgments, a snake invasion, and a rebellious people, God prepares him to meet the challenges ahead.