Courage In The Face Of Uncertainty

Sermon – Courage in the Face of Uncertainty

Joshua 1:1-9 “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 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. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

The book of Joshua records the testimony of God’ faithfulness to his promises. After the death of Moses his faithful servant, he raises up Joshua to be ruler and governor over his people, that they should neither be discouraged for lack of a captain, nor have reason to distrust God's promises later. So that Joshua might be confirmed in his calling, and the people would confident in his leadership, God places his stamp of approval on Joshua with a word of assurance. Joshua is adorned with most excellent gifts and graces from God, both to govern the people with counsel, and to defend them with strength, that he lacks nothing which either belongs to a valiant captain, or a faithful minister. God enables him to overcome all difficulties, and brings his people into the land of Canaan.

Joshua assumed the leadership of Israel at a crucial time. Not lonely is the wandering nation mourning Moses their leaders, but they facing a new land full of enemies and a Jordan River overflowing its banks. God’s newly appointed leader was well qualified. Joshua had served as Moses commander in chief; traveled up the mountain with Moses; he was there when Moses heard the voice of God and received the Ten Commandments, yet fear and uncertainty overshadowed the people. God comes to Joshua at the point of crisis with a message of encouragement and challenge. God is calling Joshua to lead the people through uncertainty into the Promised Land. After watching Moses struggle to lead a stiff necked, hard head people for years, God commissions Joshua to take the reins. These people had not been easy for Moses to lead. The ministry of Moses had been filled with signs and wonders. Now Joshua must rise up and lead them through unprecedented times.

Their enemies had walled cities and chariots of iron, there were also giants in the land. The Jordan River was beyond flood stage and seemly impossible to cross. You and I may not be called to lead two million people into the Promised Land, but we are all called to be courageous during these days of uncertainty. How can we face the future with so much uncertainty? The global pandemic is still raging, there is doubt still clouding the minds of many concerning vaccines, masks and social distancing. We are still in the midst of hurricane season and fires are still burning in the country. Yet God’s word can provide assurance and certainty in uncertain times. We can find faith for the surprises of life. God has a plan and he will work it out.

1.God’s Purpose will be accomplished. Joshua 1:1 “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 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.