HOW TO BECOME THE MEN AND WOMEN OF COURAGE
I don’t know what kind of challenging or discouraging situation you are facing today. But whatever it is, God’s message from scripture today is surely for you. He is telling you to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!
Our text is the Book of Joshua Chapter One. The people of Israel are facing one of the greatest challenges of their lives. They are actually preparing for THE BATTLE OF CANAAN. What God promised to Moses forty years ago is now on the verge of fulfillment. God gave them more than encouragement, it is actually a command. He said: BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!
If they are to possess their promise land, then they should be the man and woman of courage. If we are to claim the answer to the secret prayers of our heart, our own symbolical Promise Land, then we should be the MEN AND WOMAN OF COURAGE in our own generation.
Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love. 1Co 16:13-14
The definition of courage
The ability to face danger, difficulty, uncertainty, or pain without being overcome by fear or being deflected from a chosen course of action
The ability to do something that you know is right or good, even though it is dangerous, frightening, or very difficult
Some Examples of men and woman of courage in the Bible:
Daniel bravely ignored the edict of the king prohibiting all people to pray. His faithfulness to God sent Him to the den of lions. But God honored his courage and loyalty by saving him and destroying his enemies.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego refused to bow and worship the Golden Image of the King. They resolve to worship God and God alone. They were thrown to the furnace heated seven times more. But God reward their courage by saving them and even the King was convinced that there is no other God higher than their God.
Moses bravely proclaim God’s message to Pharaoh, “LET MY PEOPLE GO!” God confirmed His message by bringing 10 plagues to Egypt and finally making highway in the sea just to make his people free.
Esther defied the possibility of being killed by appearing to the throne of the king just to save her people. God honor her courage by touching the heart of the king and punishing their enemies.
They were ordinary people like us. But they are also called the men and woman of courage and faith. To be strong and courageous is not automatic. Strength and courage have ingredients. The elements which are the fountain of courage have been revealed by God Himself on this chapter. (Joshua Chapter one)
I – STAND FIRM ON GOD’S PROMISES. V.3
Jos 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide:
Jos 1:2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them--to the Israelites.
A. God’s promise cannot be affected by any tragic circumstances.
B. God’s promises cannot be affected by leadership change. People may come and go, but God’s word will still prevail
C. God use other leaders to fill one’s lapses, inability or mistakes so that He can continue the divine plan and purpose.
D. Like Moses who did not complaint to God when somebody takes his place, our attitude should be total humility because the glory always belongs to God and not men.
E. No one has the total monopoly of any position; God has all the right to terminate our term anytime. We must be happy when God is using other people aside from us.
Jos 1:3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
A. God has already given them the Land according to His promise. But they have to set their foot on the land so they can posses it.
B. God has given us a great future and unlimited potential but we are the one who gives limitation to what we can achieve for God.
Jos 1:4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates--all the Hittite country--to the Great Sea on the west.
A. Our God is a God of increase and expansion. It is part of His plan that we should grow, increase and prosper in every way.
II – STAY CONNECTED WITH GOD’S PRESENCE. V.5
Jos 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life…
Josh 1:5…As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
A - There is total victory in God’s presence
There is divine confidence in God’s presence
III – STICK COMMITED ON GOD’S PLAN V7
A – Uncompromising life make us courageous
Jos 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
B – Obeying God’s Word makes us courageous
Jos 1:8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
C- God’s command makes us courageous
Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
IV – SUPPORT YOUR BROTHER ON THEIR OWN BATTLE
Jos 1:12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said,
Jos 1:14 …all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers
Jos 1:15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land…
This is an example of cooperation, unity and solidarity. Joshua gave the above instruction to the said tribes of Israel because their share of land will apparently the nearest to them or the first land to be conquered. Joshua’s instruction is to help their brothers on their own battle before they can settle on their own share of land.
“Give me one hundred men who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not whether they be clergyman or laymen, they alone will shake the gates of Hell and set up the kingdom of Heaven upon the earth.”
– John Wesley
If you have been blessed, encouraged or inspired by this sermon then it’s your turn to be an encouragement too. You can do it by sending email to this contributor at spy2rb@yahoo.com or post comment on the discussion box below.
