Joshua: Be Strong And Courageous Series

SUPER MEN - Joshua: Be Strong and Courageous

June 2, 2019

Joshua 1:1-9 (p. 147)

Introduction:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt ascended to the Presidency of the United States after fighting the corrupt tyranny system in New York City. FDR was a veteran of World War I and had seen the country ravaged by the Great Depression. He watched carefully the drastic changes that were taking place in Europe as Hitler’s Germany began to be a conquering and invading bully in the region. He hated war…He’d seen it and experienced it…but he also knew what was coming…or at least believed he did.

After taking the oath of office, Roosevelt delivered the first of one of his many memorable speeches as president. Within the opening minutes of his 1,883 word-long 20 minute address, he uttered a line that for many Americans, would encapsulate FDR’s twelve years in the oval office: “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”

Pearl Harbor would galvanize this country for World War 2…December 7, 1941 would be a day that would live in infamy…And D Day on June 6, 1944 would require young men to exhibit courage over fear in ways we cannot even imagine…but because a generation…The Greatest Generation…chose courage over fear, we are free today.

FDR died before the end of the war and a young Vice President named Harry Truman ascended to the presidency…he had to cross the finish line…he had to make unimaginable decisions that would cost thousands of lives but would save millions.

Moses has led the Israelites from slavery to the entrance to the Promised Land…it’s the second time they’ve reached the entrance…The first time the Israelites sent 12 spies into the land. When they came back, 2 of them: Joshua & Caleb said, “Let’s Go…It’s a land God has blessed and given us to conquer.” But 10 of the spies said, “No way…the people are too strong…We’re like grasshoppers compared to them.” And the people rejected the chance to enter the land…Because of their doubt God made them wander in the wilderness for 40 years until all those people except Joshua and Caleb died…each funeral in the desert was a reminder that they’d chosen fear over faith. For 40 years they grumbled their way through the wilderness under the leadership of Moses…During one of those times Moses got angry. There was no water and he was supposed to speak to the rock telling it to bring forth water…Instead he smacked it with his staff…and because of this disobedience He was not permitted to enter the Promised Land…I hate this punishment…but understand God’s perfection. After Moses dies…Joshua finds himself in the unenviable position of leader. Can you imagine trying to fill Moses’ shoes (or sandals)? He also knows why they ended up in the wilderness for 40 years…and He’d heard all the grumbling, murmuring and complaining too. And now God looks at Joshua and says…

“You’re the Man.”

As we study Joshua’s life we learn a great deal about leadership and why he’s one of God’s Super Men…3 times God instructs Joshua to “Be Strong and Courageous.”

It’s an easy instruction…but under the circumstances a hard one to obey.

Maybe today you need this same encouragement from God to be strong and courageous so He can take you to a new place in your life. Well, God not only commands Joshua to be strong and courageous…He tells him how to be strong and courageous…

I. STAND ON MY PROMISES

JOSHUA 1:3-4 (p. 147)

My promises to Moses are still true! Even though Moses is dead…God’s promises are not! God is reassuring Joshua that he can still rely on the promises He made to Moses. The covenant is still in force. He’s telling Joshua “Just like I kept every promise I made to Moses…I will keep every one of them with you.”

God never breaks His promises…“Get ready to go across the Jordan River into the land I’m about to give them…the Israelites…I will give you every place you set your foot as I promised Moses.” (Joshua 1:2-3)

It’s time to go…the problem is many of God’s people would much rather sit on the promises than stand on His promises!

It’s why God commands Joshua to do this:

JOSHUA 1:7-8 (p. 147)

Joshua wasn’t expected to be the same man as Moses but he was expected to follow the same rules and guidelines…If Joshua was going to lead God’s people into the Promised Land the only way he was going to do it was through God’s roadmap. “Follow my guidelines, be obedient to my Word, don’t turn to the right or the left…stay on my path…trust my promises.”

It’s why David wrote in Psalm 25:4-5 “Show me your ways O Lord - teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God My Savior and my hope is in you all day long.”