WORDS FOR LIFE - A Command for Strength & Courage
August 12, 2018
Joshua 1:9 (p. 147)
Introduction:
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected four times to be President of the United States of America…He ascended to this place of leadership after fighting the corruption of a “tyranny” system in New York City…and being a Veteran of the Great War…World War 1…He witnessed our country being ravaged by the Great Depression…He watched as Hitler marched through Europe, invaded Poland and became a mass murderer…he was in office when on December 7, 1941 Japan attacked our Naval fleet in Hawaii at Pearl Harbor killing 2,403 people…1,177 of them from the Battleship “The Arizona.”
He began his presidency with this inaugural speech…Here’s the introduction:
I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impel. This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself - nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.
Joshua ascended to a place of leadership for the Israelites during critical days. FDR followed Herbert Hoover as president and even though Herbert had a vacuum cleaner named after him…he wasn’t a tough act to follow. Joshua followed Moses…the man who spoke to God in a burning bush, rescued his people from slavery, met with God and saw Him passing by, could turn his staff into a snake, or divide the Red Sea with it…following the man who received the 10 commandments and law written by God’s finger is a very tough act.
Moses led the people of God to the Promised Land, but because of His disobedience when he struck a rock in anger instead of speaking to it…a perfect and Holy God told Him he wouldn’t enter into it…he was shown it from a mountaintop…but was not allowed to take His people into it…instead God buries Moses in an unmarked grave when he dies and tells Joshua “You are now Israel’s leader.”
Listen to his ordination:
JOSHUA 1:1-9 (p. 147)
Joshua had been Moses’ aid…His right hand man…He and Caleb had been 2 of the 12 spies sent into Canaan to check it out and report back.
They were the only 2 that said, “Let’s go possess this land that God has given us.” The other 10 spies said, “The inhabitants are too big…we’re grasshoppers compared to them.” And because they didn’t trust God, they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until every one of them died…except Joshua and Caleb.
Joshua has never been a coward…he’s fought for God and His people, but now Moses is gone…and He will be on point.
God wants Joshua to know
I. HE STILL KEEPS HIS PROMISES
Moses might be dead, but God wants Joshua to know His promises aren’t!
3 times God tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”
Let me ask you a question…Don’t you think it was easier, to be strong and courageous when he had God and Moses? Because I sure do.
Adrian Rodgers tells one of my favorite stories…About a man who bragged that he’d cut off the tail of a man eating lion with just his pocket knife. Someone asked him, “Why didn’t you cut off the lion’s head?” And he replied, “Somebody had already done that!”
It’s a lot easier to be brave if someone’s gone in front of you and cut off the lion’s head…but when you’re the guy that has to face the lion first…it’s harder.
God promises Joshua…“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you!” Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I promised to give their ancestors.”
That’s an amazing promise…The same God that led the people under Moses will lead them under you.
Joshua wasn’t expected to be the same man as Moses, but he was expected to follow the same God…He was expected to obey His Word.
“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. Keep this book of the law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written it it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
God had promised to give His people every piece of land their feet walked upon…but this land was filled with people who worshipped all kinds of gods. They would be surrounded by tyrants and idolatry. God was making it clear…the only way to prosper and flourish was to obey Him…and worship only Him.
God’s laws and His commandments were not optional…He will not bless those who do not worship Him and live outside His will!
Faith isn’t hereditary…You cannot inherit your mom and dad’s faith…They can model it and be an example, but you and I have to make it personal and real…Moses’ faith couldn’t be Joshua’s…He had to make it his own…And that would require strength and courage, as they entered a land filled with a lot of ungodly options.
It was so important that parents were commanded to constantly teach their children God’s Word…“Impress them on their hearts when you sit at home and when you walk down the road and when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them on your hands and bind them on your foreheads, write them on the door frames of your house and gates.” (Deuteronomy 6:7-9)
When you’re prosperous and surrounded by people who worship idols…it’s easy to forget about God and His commands…listen:
DEUTERONOMY 6:10-15 (p. 126)
That same warning is true for God’s people today…It’s easy to forget where our blessings come from…it’s easy to become just like the people of this world…We tip our hat at God, but we teach our kids what’s really important by what we dedicate our time, talent and treasure to…I wonder, do we still believe that our God is a jealous God who doesn’t want us to seek His Kingdom 5th or 6th or 10th, but 1st?
It takes someone strong and very courageous to obey God and His Word in a land that doesn’t know His promises…Or believe He is the One who rescued us from slavery…it takes someone strong and very courageous to teach their children this truth as well.
But there’s a 2nd truth we learn in Joshua’s commission from God…we can only be victorious and faithful if:
II. WE LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE
God promises Joshua… “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)
“Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!” (Joshua 1:9)
That’s an amazing promise… “I’ll be with you wherever you go…I’ll protect you…I’ll watch over you…I’ll NEVER LEAVE YOU.”
How strong and courageous can you be if you know this promise is real?
The passengers on the bus watched sympathetically as the attractive young woman with the white cane made her way carefully up the steps. She paid the driver and, using her hands to feel the location of the seats, walked down the aisle and found the seat he’d told her was empty. Then she settled in, placed her briefcase on her lap and rested her cane against her leg.
It had been a year since Susan, 34, became blind. Due to a medical misdiagnosis she had been rendered sightless, and she was suddenly thrown into a world of darkness, anger, frustration and self-pity. And all she had to cling to was her husband, Mark.
Mark was an Air Force officer and he loved Susan with all his heart. When she first lost her sight, he watched her sink into despair and was determined to help his wife gain the strength and confidence she needed to become independent again.
Finally, Susan felt ready to return to her job, but how would she get there? She used to take the bus, but was not frightened to get around the city by herself. Mark volunteered to drive her to work each day, even though they worked at opposite ends of the city. At first, this comforted Susan, and fulfilled Mark’s need to protect his sightless wife who was so insecure about performing the slightest task. Soon, however, Mark realized the arrangement wasn’t working. Susan is going to have to start taking the bus again, he admitted to himself. But she was still so fragile, so angry - how would she react?
Just as he predicted, Susan was horrified at the idea of taking the bus again, “I’m blind!” she responded bitterly. “How am I supposed to know where I am going? I feel like you’re abandoning me.”
Mark’s heart broke to hear these words, but he knew what had to be done. He promised Susan that each morning and evening he would ride the bus with her, for as long as it took, until she got the hang of it. And that is exactly what happened. For two solid weeks, Mark, military uniform and all, accompanied Susan to and from work each day. He taught her how to rely on her other senses, specifically her hearing, to determine where she was and how to adapt to her new environment. He helped her befriend the bus drivers who would watch out for her, and save her a seat.
Finally, Susan decided that she was ready to try the trip on her own. Monday morning arrived, and before she left, she threw her arms around Mark, her temporary bus-riding companion, her husband, and her best friend. Her eyes filled with tears of gratitude for his loyalty, his patience, and his love. She said good-bye, and for the first time, they went their separate ways. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday…Each day on her own went perfectly, and Susan had never felt better. She was doing it! She was going to work all by herself.
On Friday morning, Susan took the bus to work as usual. As she was paying the fare to exit the bus, the driver said, “Boy, I sure do envy you.” Susan wasn’t sure if the driver was speaking to her or not. After all, who on earth would ever envy a blind woman who had struggled just to find the courage to live for the past year?
Curious, she asked the driver, “Why do you say that you envy me?” The driver responded, “It must feel good to be taken care of and protected like you are.”
Susan had no idea what the driver was talking about, and again asked, “What do you mean?”
The driver answered, “You know, every morning for the past week, a fine-looking gentleman in a military uniform has been standing across the corner watching you as you get off the bus. He makes sure you cross the street safely and he watches until you enter your office building. Then he blows you a kiss, gives you a little salute and walks away. You are one lucky lady.”
God watches over us in the same way. We might not be able to see Him, but He sees us. There isn’t a place we go that He isn’t there. There is not one situation or circumstance that He isn’t in control of.
The same words that God spoke to Joshua, Jesus speaks to us…“I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
My dad used to tell me over and over again when I was growing up…“You can’t push a chain.”
Joshua couldn’t push the people over the Jordan into the Promised Land…But as he followed God and God’s commandments, he could lead them.
Yes it would require strength and courage…But he wouldn’t be doing it alone.
