Joshua was called to succeed Moses and lead the people of God into the Promised Land.
• His task would require him to rally the people together and fight their way into Canaan.
• This, of course, would not be easy and Joshua felt it. God came to assure him.
God made TWO emphasis: (1) His presence WITH him and (2) His promise FOR him.
• Joshua needs to be sure of these. They are the basis for his success.
• It is not going to be how big the difficulty is but how firm is his trust in God and His promise.
• Joshua must not lean on his leadership, his experience, his resources, or his battle plans to bring him success. His faith must be in God and God alone.
We will be able to overcome the challenges of life because of our faith in God.
• It will never be about the difficulties we face, because God will see us through.
• If you heart is set right – on God – everything else will fall into the right place.
• If your heart is somewhere else, you will be afraid, unhappy, worried, discouraged and bitter in life.
It starts with the heart. If you check your heart, you will likely find the causes for your defeat or success.
• When Joshua’s heart was set right, he is ready to go. God has spoken.
• From the PROMISE to its FULFILMENT, there is still a long way. But it will be accomplished, just as God said.
I want to share on what is required from the PROMISE to the FULFILMENT of God’s promise.
• It will take the commitment of time, hard work, sacrifices and even some pain, in order for them to reach the goal of occupying the land.
• What does it take to fulfil God’s purpose? What does it take realise God’s plan for our lives today?
God’s will is done when we are willing to RESPOND to His call, be INVOLVED in His work, put our FAITH in Him and stay UNITED until the end.
Fulfilling God’s Purpose requires (1) OUR RESPONSE
Once Joshua was assured, he acts. 1:10 “SO Joshua ordered the officers of the people…”
• The word SO (or THEN in some versions) is important. It links from what is before. Joshua responded to what God said. He starts to direct and organise the people.
• He understood God’s will and he obeyed. It wasn’t his plan, nor was it even his predecessor Moses’ idea. Joshua simply submitted to God’s plan.
This is the prerequisite to enjoying God’s best – be willing to obey.
• God does not say to you, “I'll show you my will and then you can decide if it is good or bad.”
• When God states His will, it is not for us to talk about it, discuss it, or bring it up to the board meeting and vote on it.
• God reveals His will, it is for man to obey. We are called to respond.
The people responded to what God promised and in the next few chapters we see them take steps to conquer the land.
• They were driven by God’s will for their lives.
• Why do they take it up, when it was so tough? They knew it was God’s best for them. They were driven by God’s purpose for them.
Ours is a PUROSE-driven life - God’s purpose-driven life. Always remember this.
• We can have many admirable aspirations in life; we can set goals for our careers, our studies, for self-improvements, for a better life…
• But remember, there is an overarching goal that permeates all these sub-goals, and dominant goal is the will of God.
• We are called to do the will of God and accomplish God’s purposes on earth.
If you are driven by God’s purpose, you will do whatever it takes.
• Let God’s purpose drives you. Let God’s will defines your life.
Fulfilling God’s Purpose requires (2) OUR INVOLVEMENT
God’s purpose will not be fulfilled accidentally. It does not come to pass through fate or the “sovereignty of God”.
• Nothing is automatic. If you do nothing, nothing will happen.
• Joshua needs to act. He needs to organise the people. The officers must get the supplies packed. And the people must prepare to make the move in 3 days.
• We are very involved in the fulfilment of God’s will. It takes commitment.
This may come as a surprise to some. They expected God to do everything, and they do nothing. Some think that God do half and we do half (it’s a cooperation).
• The correct picture is not “God does some and we do some.” It is “God does all, and we do all.” It is ALL of God, and also ALL of us!
• The land is given to you as a gift, but you have to seize it. It is a promise, but you have to conquer it.
• God is going to save the lost, but we have to go and make disciples of all nations.
How will God fulfils His purpose without my participation? I don’t know.
• But without my obedience, I will never see it. This I am VERY SURE!
• You know why some are not experiencing God’s best for them? Not that God is withholding His blessings, but they are not submitting to Him.
• God has given us all things, including Christ. But we are not taking it up. We choose to do life our way.
People often like to put the blame on God because it’s so easy to do so.
• If God is all-powerful and all-loving, then why are all these bad things happening?
• We expect God to do everything automatically. This is a flawed thinking.
• God cannot do many things. He cannot love evil. He cannot change His nature. He cannot cease to exist. He cannot duplicate Himself, because He is infinite.
• To say that “God can do anything” is incomplete. We have to say, “God can do anything logically possible and perfectly righteous and just.”
God calls us to play our part in fulfilling His will on earth. Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
• We are involved, every one of us. We are not passive observers in this journey called life. We are now disciples of Christ and we represent Him on earth.
• So let’s play our part and fulfil God’s purpose on earth. Life is most satisfying when we do that.
Fulfilling God’s Purpose requires (3) OUR FAITH
What makes this group different from the group that was here 40 years ago? Faith.
• The first group trusted what they saw – the giants and the fortified cities, and they were overwhelmed by the odds against them.
• The present group put their faith in what God says. They believe they can overcome because God is with them and God promised them.
The problem is not the problem. It is what’s in your heart.
• If your heart is right (focused on God and aligned with His purposes), you can run into the battlefield with a sling (like David).
• You can step into the Red Sea with a rod (like Moses). You can bring down the walls of Jericho with a shout (like Israel).
• The problem will not be a problem. Faith is the issue.
• Watch your heart. WHO are you really trusting?
Fulfilling God’s Purpose requires (4) OUR UNITY
Joshua addressed specifically the two and a half tribes of Rueben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh.
• These tribes have already been given their land in the East side of River Jordan (Transjordan). The background of this is in Num 32:1-42 and Deut 2:26-3:20.
• This land had been conquered first and was ideal for the flocks. These tribes had large numbers of livestock so they requested Moses to give it to them as their inheritance.
• Moses agreed, on the condition that they must fight with their fellow brothers in conquering the land.
The people stands united as one nation. It is not about the respective tribes. There is no tribal agenda or personal goal.
• The nation as a whole will take possession of the land as God intended. They will fight as a nation, not as tribes.
• This is the will of God, for Israel and for His church today. We are called to do the work of God as ONE church.
In His last prayer (John 17), Jesus prays specifically for this.
• John 17:20-23 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
• Unity is strength, no doubt. But the emphasis here is that unity is a WITNESS.
• Unity is key to the success of Israel’s mission; it is also the key to our effective witness for Jesus Christ on earth.
We are in this together, for God’s glory and to fulfil His will.
• The church will succeed because God is present and He has made His promise.
SUMMARY:
God’s will is done when we are willing to RESPOND to His call, be INVOLVED in His work, put our FAITH in Him and stay UNITED until the end.
