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.
B.Obedience to all the laws of Moses Vs 7-9
In taking lessons to lead to our own success today, we have to be careful to understand that the “success” that Joshua was promised does not necessarily translate into prosperity as the world judges such things. One may be successful in God’s eyes and not necessarily be prosperous in the eyes of the word. Material prosperity as defined by the standards of the world is not what is being promised here but success by God’s definition was inevitable under His terms.
1.First, Joshua was to do according to all the law.
“Be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or left, so that you may have success wherever you go.”
a.When it comes right down to it, most Christians know a lot more of the Bible than we are applying. It is not that we do not know what is right; it is that we do not do what is right.
b.It’s human nature even described by the Apostle Paul:
Romans 7:18-19 “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.”
c.To be successful by God’s standard we must do the will of the Father. John 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.
d.And Joshua is admonished to stay on the straight and narrow, not turning to the right or to the left. God expects us to do His will as He wills, not as we will. Not adding to or taking away from what He has commanded.
2.Secondly, Joshua was to talk about God’s Word. The text says in verse 8, “this book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, …” Clearly, Joshua is called upon to include the word of God in his daily life.
a.“The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.
b.With the word of God in our heart it will flow from our mouths, seasoning our speech as with salt.
Colossians 4:6a “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt…”
3.Third, Joshua was to meditate on God’s Word.
a.Meditation is the next step beyond just knowing about and talking about the word of God.
b.The Hebrew verb for meditate conveys a variety of meanings in the Old Testament. The word is related to a term meaning “to muse over.” God was commanding Joshua to remember His law by “muttering” it to himself, “pondering” it, or “musing over” it..
c.This does not mean theoretical speculation about the law, such as the Pharisees indulged in, but a practical study of the law, for the purpose of observing it in thought and action, or carrying it out with the heart, the mouth, and the hand.
d.Meditation means to think about or contemplate how to apply the word in your life. Mediation has application as a goal. It is only when the word of God gets into our minds and affects our normal day to day decision making that we begin to act differently.
C.The LORD your God is with you
1.Finally Joshua could take strength and courage from the knowledge that God would be with him in every endeavor.
2.As God was with Moses, so He would be with Joshua: “I will not leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5). This promise was repeated to Solomon (1 Chronicles 28:20), and is given to us in Hebrews 13:5-6.
Conclusion:
Strength and courage is required in the Christian life (vs. 6-7, 9), but this courage is supplied by the Word of God (v. 8).
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Romans 8:31b “… If God is for us, who is against us?”
God will grant us His success and prosperity if we follow the advice of Joshua, doing what is commanded in God’s word, holding His word in our hearts and mouths, and meditating on His word day and night.
Invitation
