"Joshua's Learning Curve"

Title: “Joshua’s Learning Curve”

Text: (Josh 1:9) 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.

Introduction: Joshua is the commander and chief of the nation of Israel. God tells him to have courage because he will stand with him in the many battles that he has yet to fight as he enters into the promise land. But who is this God that is standing with him? Joshua begins his learning curve.

1. God is the man standing in the field holding a sword.

(Josh 5:13-15) And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant? And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

I am sure that Joshua must have thought, “How can this man with a single sword help me lead me my army into victory over the mighty walls of Jericho? But God did! God didn’t even need the sword, he used shouts and trumpets!

2. God is the good angel leaning over my right shoulder.

(Josh 7:10-11) And the LORD said unto Joshua, Get thee up; wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and have also stolen, and dissembled also, and they have put it even among their own stuff.

God was the guilty conscious telling Joshua that Israel had sinned and therefore, he could not bless them against Ai. Get right with God first, and then victory could be obtained.

3. God, sitting upon the throne.

How big is your God?

(Josh 10:12 KJV) Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

Here is illustrates the height of faith. Joshua prayed that God would keep the sun from falling from the sky. I am sure that he did not completely understand all of the science of what he was asking God to do, but he believed God could do it, and he did! God kept the sun from falling!

What is a miracle? “A miracle happens when the supernatural supersedes the natural!” (-JD) Everything is falling. God has the power to keep us from falling!

Do you need a miracle? David did in Psalms 40:1-3

I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

How big is your God?

4. God, sitting upon his throne with his feet on the earth, his footstool.

(Heb 1:13 KJV) But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?

Our God is in complete control. He is not worried about the enemies of this world. Can you see God leaning back on the throne and putting his feet up? The enemies of this world are his footstool!

Your God is so much bigger than your problems!

Where is your faith on the “learning curve?” God is BIG!