2020 will be remembered as the year of the world wide coronavirus pandemic. We have seen and experience entire countries close down, commerce slowed down to crawl, whole states, cities, and communities shut off and placed in quarantine. Every day, we hear the new infection and death count. Our own county health department has warned us against congregating in groups over 10. On Friday our Florida State Governor closed all the restaurants. Masses are out of work, our beaches are vacant, store shelves are empty. It’s like people are preparing for the apocalypse.
Where does it end? People are in a panic. People are afraid. How do we respond to all this as God’s people? That is our subject this morning, our response in the midst of a worldwide crisis. We will consider the instruction given to Joshua. For Joshua, as the newly appointed leader of God’s chosen people, there was much to be fearful of.
Joshua 1:1–9
What is the Biblical outlook on the Coronavirus crisis. Are we entering the apocalypse? Are we entering the time of tribulation? Is this one of those plagues mentioned in the Book of revelation?
The answer to all these questions is no. However, we can view these as a harbinger, an indicator of things to come. We can easily see how a really nasty plague can throw the world into chaos, we can see how governments can create a crisis and institute overwhelming control over our lives.
But this crises reminds us of three things Biblically.
1. Reminder of the reality of the Fall. This virus is yet another reminder of the reality of the fall. Because of sin, the whole of creation has become corrupted and this has affected everything, all the way down to micro-organisms. In our broken world, we long for the return of Jesus Christ who will make all things new. [1]
Romans 8:20–22 (NKJV) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
We live in a sinful world. We need to remember there are many who die every day from various illnesses and diseases. Cancer claim many lives every year. Earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, famine, wars rages all around us. These things are to be expected. We have had these events throughout history. Remember the black plague of the middle ages, the influenza pandemic of the early 1900’s. These things have happened and the past and we can expect more in the future, because we live in a fallen world.
2. Reminder of our mortality. We cannot control the world around us. Any time people are reminded of the hard truths of mortality and their inability to control the world around them, there is an opportunity to share the glorious truths of the Gospel: God is in control; the world is not as it should be due to sin; sin affects each one of us and has separated us from God; those who turn to Christ for the forgiveness of sins shall have their relationship to God restored and shall inherit eternal life with Him. [2]
James 4:14b (NKJV) For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.
The fact is, everything in this life is temporary. Our health, our possessions, our bank accounts, and yes even this earthly life is temporary. One day it will all come to an end. The only thing that are eternal rest in the hands of God. This is why Jesus teaches us where our true treasures should be:
Matthew 6:19–21 (NKJV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Only those things that are eternal are worthwhile. Yet, even in this temporary world in which we live, we can take comfort in knowing nothings escapes the notice of God.
Matthew 10:29–31 (NKJV) Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. 30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Right here in this verse we are commanded not to fear. The command “do not fear,” “fear not,” or “do not be afraid” is in the Bible well over 300 times.
Because we are reminded of sin in the world and that we are mere mortals, yet because we know God is in control and nothing escapes His notice we are reminded:
3. Reminder that we are to walk, not by fear, but by faith. God is in control. As Christians, we are called to walk not by fear but by faith. God is in control, and He who created the universe and upholds all things by His powerful Word is still on His throne. [3]
This brings us to today’s focal passage. We are commanded, like Joshua to be strong and of good courage.
Joshua 1:1–2 (NKJV) After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, it came to pass that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.
Moses had died and now Joshua was the leader of the mass of people. Joshua had a big job and had real big shoes to fill. Any normal person would have been overwhelmed at the task that laid ahead.
God gave Joshua the command to take the land, the land that God previously promised to Abraham. Joshua’s job was now to take it. Josh knew what laid ahead. He was one of the 12 spies sent out 39 years previously to spy out land. It would not be easy.
Joshua 1:5–6 (NKJV) No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Joshua is commanded: “Be strong and of good courage.” God gives this simple instruction 3 times – it must be important (verses 6, 7 and 9). Why should we be strong and of courage? Should we trust God?
We supposedly trust in lots of things: Do we trust in the promises our banks make? Do we trust in the promises our government makes? Do we trust in the promises our politicians make?? On our money and our nation’s moto is “In God We Trust.” But do we really? When were walk in fear, we are not trusting God. God’s commands often includes empowerment and promises. As we will see, God’s promises has power. God tells Joshua to be strong. And what was God’s promise? “I will not leave you nor forsake you.” We have the promise of God’s faithfulness. His faithfulness is a lot better than mine, by the way. But there is more. Many of God’s promises are conditional. We have to do our part.
Joshua 1:7 (NKJV) Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
Notice this command has Joshua to be very courageous. In the Hebrew, the word that we translate “courageous” has a meaning that can be translated to mean very determined, to be resolute, to possess a strenuous mind. Joshua was to be ever determined to follow the word of God. All Joshua had was the first five books of the Bible, the books that Moses wrote, Genesis through Deuteronomy. He was to go by those books and not depart from them to the left or right. This was clearly his key to being strong and courageous.
And what about being prosperous and having good success? (vs 8) In the life of the Christian believer, prosperity and success aren’t to be measured by the standards of the world. These blessings are the by-products of a life devoted to God and His Word. If you set out on your own to become prosperous and successful, you may achieve your goal and live to regret it. [4]
Thus, in the Old Testament “prosperity” is not financial in its primary orientation, if at all. Rather, it refers to succeeding in proper endeavors. Also, it comes only when it is not the focus of one’s efforts in any case. It comes when one’s focus is on God and one’s relationship with him. The success is granted by God, not attained by human achievement. [5]
You see the key to Joshua’s military success which Joshua was commanded to undertake, was not in the number of horses, swords, or mighty warriors. It was directly related to his obedience to the Word of God. For Joshua to carry out the Law, he must first know the Law. How to know the Law, he must read it and study it.
Joshua 1:8 (NKJV) This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
In the Hebrew, to meditate, meant in its literal translation, is to moan, mutter and speak it. To meditate meant to study and discuss the Word. That is why the verse said it is not to depart from your mouth. This is nothing new. God, through Moses commanded the people to put the word in their hearts and to teach it.
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 (NKJV) “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Parents, your instruction is clear. IT is not the Sunday School teacher’s responsibility that your children know the Word of God. It is your responsibility. They only help. Do we talk about the word of God to our children? Do we live out the word of God to our children? The kings of Israel were commanded to know the word when they ruled.
Deuteronomy 17:18–19 (NKJV) 18 “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites. 19 And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the LORD his God and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes.
The Kings was to write out the word of God for himself. Can you imagine having to copy the whole Bible by hand? We are only asked to read it. But if we were to write it out, we would learn it wouldn’t we? But knowing the word of God is one thing, we are also commanded to live out that word: “that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.” Knowing God’s Word is not good enough. We must do God’s Word.
James 1:22 (NKJV) But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
John said it best:
1 John 2:4 (NKJV) He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
When we understand the importance of knowing the Word of God and doing the word of God, then part about being strong and of good courage will come naturally. But just to make sure Joshua understand Him, God tells Joshua a third time.
Joshua 1:9 (NKJV) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
How could Joshua be strong and of good courage? He knew God’s word. He meditated on God’s Word. He talked about God’s Word. He Obeyed God’s Word. It was not how mighty Joshua was, or how big the Hebrew army was. It was all about knowing and doing the Word of God.
It’s a tough and fearful world we live in. But if we are immersed in the Word of God, Meditate on the Word of God, talk about the Word of God, and faithfully live out the Word of God, we too can be strong and courageous. Being strong and courageous is not about who we are, but all about who He is. Paul said it best:
Romans 8:31 (NKJV) What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Our response to the coronavirus crises? We are to strong and of good courage. We are not to walk in fear. We are to keep our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
At the end of the day, when all is said and done, it is all about Jesus. And Jesus will not force himself on any one, but he is waiting for you.
[1] reasonabletheology.org/a-christian-perspective-on-coronavirus
[2] ibid
[3] ibid
[4] Warren W. Wiersbe, Be Strong, “Be” Commentary Series (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 28.
[5] David M. Howard Jr., Joshua, vol. 5, The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1998), 90.
