STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
THRU CHANGE
JOSHUA 1:1-9
INTRODUCTION
“After the death of Moses”
“Moses my servant is dead”
The book of Joshua begins with these two phrases that probably will catch our attention here at NBCC today more than it would have a few months ago. The first 5 words of Joshua 1 are “After the death of Moses” (verse 1) and the first words God speaks in this book are “Moses my servant is dead” (verse 2). These two phrases catch our attention because John Meisenbach, a faithful servant of the Lord for 40 years passed away leaving behind a church family he served well. We are living in the time “after the death of John” and God might well say to us, “John my servant is dead.”
They had been led by Moses for 80 years. Moses was the leader who led the people of God out of Egypt (Exodus 7-13). Moses had been there at the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). Moses was there for the provision of manna (Exodus 16). Moses had prayed for them to be spared from God’s wrath (Exodus 32). Moses brought them the Law of God (Exodus 34). Moses was the leader through all of that and the people were used to him and respected him and for the most part followed his lead. The book of Joshua begins with these significant phrases and we ask ourselves… what did that mean exactly for the people of Israel?
It meant that in Joshua chapter 1 the people of God were undergoing a time of change, stress, and sorrow. They were undergoing change because their leader for more than two generations was now gone and someone was in his place. Things would be different with this new leader. Life would be different. Decisions may not be made in the same way. They were undergoing stress because change is difficult. Specifically for the people of God they were going to go into a land they had not been in before and they were going to settle it. They were enduring sorrow because they had lost a man that was near and dear to their hearts. Grief is normal at the death of someone who is important.
“After the death of Moses”
“Moses my servant is dead”
BACKGROUND OF JOSHUA
Joshua 1 shares with us that Moses died and the leadership of the people of God fell to the one who had assisted Moses for many years, Joshua. Joshua is first mentioned in Exodus 17 right after Moses strikes a rock and water flows from it for the people to drink. Even though he is first mentioned in Exodus 17, Numbers 11:28 tells us that Joshua had been Moses’ aid for many years since his youth and was a constant companion of Moses. Right after the water from the rock episode, Joshua leads the army of Israel at Moses’ direction and defeats the Amalekites. Exodus 17:10-13 says, “So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. 11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. 12 When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up-- one on one side, one on the other-- so that his hands remained steady till sunset. 13 So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Joshua was Moses’ aid who accompanied him to the mountain of God to receive the Law of God (Exodus 24). That must have been quite a span of forty days and forty nights. Joshua was there when the people crafted the Golden Calf and turned away from God (Exodus 32). Joshua was also among the 12 spies who went into the Promised Land to spy it out (Numbers 13-14) and is 1 of 2 to return in faith saying they should go in and take the land because God was with them.
It is this man who had been the faithful companion of Moses and who had experienced many of the miracles of God that becomes the next leader of the Israelite people. Joshua chapter 1 sees Joshua taking on the mantle of leadership amidst the change, stress, and sorrow. God has some specific words for Joshua as he is taking on his new role.
READ Joshua 1:2-9
“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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 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. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 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. 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. 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."
It occurs to me that the same issues that Joshua and the Israelites faced we also face. We face change in our lives. We face stress. We face sorrow. One of the most important principles of the Bible is that God’s Word does not change and His Word to Joshua amidst change, stress, and sorrow is the same Word He gives to us.
TWO KEY WORDS
In the first 9 verses of Joshua, God commands Joshua to be “strong and courageous” 3 times.
The first word God tells Joshua is to be “strong” which comes from a Hebrew word (chazaq) which means “to strengthen, to harden, to prevail, to grow firm and resolute.” It seems to be a strong action word that indicates physical action like physical strength of the arms, hands, and legs. When I think of “strong” I think of habits or actions that lead to a positive result.
The second word God tells Joshua is to be “courageous” which comes from a Hebrew word (‘awmats) which means “to be alert, to be brave, to feel strong in one’s heart, to be bold.” It seems to be a word that speaks of strength not on the outside, but rather strength of character and having security with oneself. When I think of “courageous,” I think of internal attitudes and thoughts that lead to a positive result.
What does any of that mean? Remember, the same issues that Joshua and the Israelites faced we also face. We face change in our lives. We face stress. We face sorrow. When we face these times in our lives, God is commanding us to be strong in our actions and deeds and also to be bold and brave on the inside.
I. CHANGE
I believe that change is constant in our lives and it is something most of us dislike. Change comes in our health as we get older and joints hurt, bones break, and we cannot always do what we used to. Change comes when our parents move in with us or a grandchild moves in with us. Change comes if we move stages in life from junior high to high school, maybe college is on the horizon, or maybe we are heading towards retirement. Change comes if we move jobs or even if our job stays the same, but bosses above us change. Change comes when our paycheck changes and we may not have the lifestyle to which we are accustomed. Change comes in many forms and fashions.
ILLUSTRATION… Change (p)
As I think back on my life, I think the biggest time of change I ever had was when I got married. I know it was a huge time of change in my family’s life because my dad retired from the Army, my sister graduated from high school, and I got married all in the same month. That is a lot of change all at once for any person or any family.
When I got married I went from being single to married, moved from Tennessee to Florida for a time, and went from having the leisurely schedule of a college student to having a job where I worked 14-16 hours a day. I went from being financially secure to being desperate. I did not sleep well. My attitudes changed. My outlook on life changed. Stress was added like never before. At the time when I thought I should be the happiest I could ever be, I was instead angry over the change and it was the hardest time in my life.
What are we supposed to do amidst the changes in life? How should we react? What strong actions can we take during change? What courageous attitudes should we have during change? Overall, I think when change rocks our world, we should want to stay rooted and anchored in something or someone that does not change. God does not change. James 1:17 reminds us that God does not “change like shifting shadows.” Psalm 18:2 says, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”
Strong:
Strong habits of reading God’s Word to aid us in maintaining our faith.
Strong habits of prayer so that we stay connected to God as we move daily through changes.
Strong church attendance to remain connected with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Courageous:
Seek after a bold attitude that even though things are changing, God is in control.
Seek after an attitude that even if you don’t like what is going on, blessing may come from it.
Ask for eyes of faith to see what God is doing and where He wants you to speak and help.
II. STRESS
Stress is a strange part of life. Stress comes from various sources and different things stress us out at different times in our lives. What stresses one person may not even phase another person or cause them issues. Stress is our bodies and our minds reacting to demands or threats (helpguide.org).
ILLUSTRATON… Stress, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/stress/index.shtml
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, there are at least three kinds of stress which carry physical and mental health risks:
Routine stress related to the pressures of work, family and other daily responsibilities.
Stress brought about by a sudden negative change, such as losing a job, divorce, or illness.
Traumatic stress, experienced in an event like a major accident, war, assault, or a natural disaster where one may be seriously hurt or in danger of being killed.
The body responds to each type of stress in similar ways. Different people may feel it in different ways. For example, some people experience mainly digestive symptoms, while others may have headaches, sleeplessness, depressed mood, anger and irritability. People under chronic stress are prone to more frequent and severe viral infections, such as the flu or common cold, and vaccines, such as the flu shot, are less effective for them.
Stress is serious business for our minds, emotions, spirits, and bodies!
ILLUSTRATION… Stress (p)
I thought a lot about what gives me stress this past week probably because I have been under a lot of stress lately. Managing money stresses me. Unmet expectations stress me. Unrealistic expectations stress me. Having a plan and not following it stresses me. Looming things to do that I just can’t get accomplished stresses me and causes me anxiety. Doing my absolute best and it not being enough brings me stress. People acting foolishly or deceptively making my life harder has always stressed me.
What are we supposed to do amidst the stress in life? How should we react? What strong actions can we take during stress? What courageous attitudes should we have during stress? Overall, we need to understand that when stress occurs, the best thing we can do is remain connected with God because He is our peace. Psalm 4:8, “I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 29:11 says, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.” In my mind, peace is the opposite of stress.
Strong:
Strong habits of Sabbath and resting will aid in combating stress and follows how God made us.
A strong habit of exercise can help which will physically combat stress.
Courageous:
Celebrate with God at the end of a day how we have seen Him work in our lives.
In a prayerful attitude, know in your heart that God is with you wherever you go.
Pray for peace.
III. SORROW
Agony. Anguish. Hardship. Heartache. Melancholy. Misery. Mourning. Pain. Regret. Remorse. Sadness. These are all synonyms of the word “sorrow.” We find sorrow in the Bible in several places. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble.” Jesus and the disciples dealt with sorrow before He went to the cross for in Mark 14:33-34 it says, “He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them” and in Luke 22:44-45 it says, “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow.”
Sorrow like change and stress is also a normal part of life. I know sorrow is a normal part of life because it has so many synonyms. Something that is not all that important would not have so many descriptive words to it. In addition, I know that sorrow is a normal part of life because the stages of life that sorrow touches has names. We only name things that are important:
When we lose our home to a fire or flood, we call that being destitute or homeless.
When we lose our money, it is called being poor.
When we lose our job, we call that being laid off.
When we wreck our car and it is totaled, we call that riding-yo-bike.
When we lose a boyfriend or girlfriend, we call that being brokenhearted.
When we lose our parents to death, we call that being an orphan.
When we lose our spouse to death, we call that being a widow or widower.
When we lose a child in death, it is so painful that there is no word for that in any language.
What are we supposed to do amidst the sorrow in life? How should we react? What strong actions can we take during sorrow? What courageous attitudes should we have during sorrow? Overall, we need to understand that when sorrow occurs, our God’s presence is right next to us. When our hearts are broken, we have a God who sees our brokenness and desires to help us.
Job 5:11 “The lowly he sets on high, and those who mourn are lifted to safety.”
Psalm 34:18 “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 147:3 “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”
Strong:
Demonstrate faith by continuing to read Scripture and pray even if you don’t feel like it.
Untangle ourselves from the ties that bind us to the person we have lost.
Reinvest ourselves in new relationships, friendships, or goals.
Courageous:
Ask through prayer that God would send light into our lives and dwell with us.
Fight against irrational attitudes which harm us and drag us down.
Have open conversations with God about feelings and blame and hardships and don’t shrink back.
REVIEW OF JOSHUA 1: GOD’S PRESENCE
As we think about Joshua chapter 1 the people of God were undergoing a time of change, stress, and sorrow. We have discussed how when we go through the same things that God’s Word to them is the same as it is to us. I have offered some suggestions as to how to be “strong and courageous” in the midst of change, stress, and sorrow. I want you to also to remember the Words of God that He spoke to Joshua… not just the words “strong and courageous,” but all the other words He shared in Joshua 1.
Remember how the beginning of the chapter there were two phrases that were repeated:
Verse 1: “After the death of Moses”
Verse 2: “Moses my servant is dead”
Hear the encouraging Words of God:
Verse 3: “I will give you every place where you set your foot”
Verse 5: “I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Verse 9: “the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
If you remember nothing else about undergoing times of change, stress, and sorrow, understand that being “strong and courageous” means we walk with God and He walks with us every step of the way. Make sure our actions are strong to keep us with God. Make sure the attitudes of our heart keep us close to God. If we do that, we will make it through any change, any sorrow, and any grief.
PRAY FOR EACH OTHER:
Going through a CHANGE (have them stand); Pray
Going through mounting STRESS (have them stand); Pray
Going through SORROW (have them stand); Pray
CONCLUSION
