Sermon – Courage in the Face of Uncertainty
Joshua 1:1-9 “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. 6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
The book of Joshua records the testimony of God’ faithfulness to his promises. After the death of Moses his faithful servant, he raises up Joshua to be ruler and governor over his people, that they should neither be discouraged for lack of a captain, nor have reason to distrust God's promises later. So that Joshua might be confirmed in his calling, and the people would confident in his leadership, God places his stamp of approval on Joshua with a word of assurance. Joshua is adorned with most excellent gifts and graces from God, both to govern the people with counsel, and to defend them with strength, that he lacks nothing which either belongs to a valiant captain, or a faithful minister. God enables him to overcome all difficulties, and brings his people into the land of Canaan.
Joshua assumed the leadership of Israel at a crucial time. Not lonely is the wandering nation mourning Moses their leaders, but they facing a new land full of enemies and a Jordan River overflowing its banks. God’s newly appointed leader was well qualified. Joshua had served as Moses commander in chief; traveled up the mountain with Moses; he was there when Moses heard the voice of God and received the Ten Commandments, yet fear and uncertainty overshadowed the people. God comes to Joshua at the point of crisis with a message of encouragement and challenge. God is calling Joshua to lead the people through uncertainty into the Promised Land. After watching Moses struggle to lead a stiff necked, hard head people for years, God commissions Joshua to take the reins. These people had not been easy for Moses to lead. The ministry of Moses had been filled with signs and wonders. Now Joshua must rise up and lead them through unprecedented times.
Their enemies had walled cities and chariots of iron, there were also giants in the land. The Jordan River was beyond flood stage and seemly impossible to cross. You and I may not be called to lead two million people into the Promised Land, but we are all called to be courageous during these days of uncertainty. How can we face the future with so much uncertainty? The global pandemic is still raging, there is doubt still clouding the minds of many concerning vaccines, masks and social distancing. We are still in the midst of hurricane season and fires are still burning in the country. Yet God’s word can provide assurance and certainty in uncertain times. We can find faith for the surprises of life. God has a plan and he will work it out.
1.God’s Purpose will be accomplished. Joshua 1:1 “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, 2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
Leaving Egypt was God’s idea. Moses God’s faithful servant was dead, but the mission was not over. When the pandemic came, many people started acting as if the mission of the church was over. God’s mission is not confined to a building or a certain time of day. The Mission Continues. Joshua was called to the responsibility of leading the nation into the future God had planned for them. God’s plan had always been to bring the children of Israel into a land flowing with milk and honey. God made a promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, finally to Moses. So Joshua takes on the assignment understanding that God has a solution to every situation he might face. This was God’s plan, God’s assignment, God’s choice, and God’s purpose will be fulfilled and his plan will not fail. The task would prove to be difficult, confusing at times, even fearful, but Joshua did not waiver. Joshua knew that the Lord was the master of the Jordan River as He had done the Red Sea. Although the Jordan River had overflowed its banks and was seemingly impossible to cross at that season, Joshua proclaimed “Get ready to Cross.” All things are possible to them that believe.
Proverb 19:20, 21 “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the LORD, that shall stand.”
We can have courage to face uncertainty because the counsel of the Lord shall stand. What God has promised He will bring it to pass. God’ purpose will be accomplished. Secondly, God’s word is sure!
2.God’s Word is Sure. Joshua 1:3, 4 “Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast. 5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Joshua must stand on the sure word of God. God assures Joshua that He has given him all the land that he choose to walk on; victory over every enemy; wisdom in every difficulty; and personal prosperity and blessing. God’s promises never fail. God cannot lie. Joshua had witnessed God’ presence during the wilderness journey, God gave them water from a rock, shelter from every storm, a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. 5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Only unfaithfulness to God and word, could hinder their progress. Isa 40:8 “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.” How thankful we should be for the unchanging, sure word of God. The media maybe confused, politicians may deceive us, medical doctors may error, but God’s word is sure! We take courage to face uncertainty because God’s purpose will be accomplished; and God’s word is sure. Then we can count on God’s Presence is near.
3. God’s presence is with us. 5 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
Just as God’s power and presence was with Moses, I will be with thee. God’s power magnified Joshua in the eyes of all Israel. As the priest approached the brink of the River of Jordan, the waters parted. It was proved that the God who could make a way out of no way was with them. If God can roll back the Jordan, the great walls of Jericho can fall. That same power is available to every believer. Eph 3:20 “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”
Isa 40:29-31 “He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: 31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
During these uncertain times, there are some things we can be certain about. Those who follow God’s lead, can be sure God’s purpose will be accomplished; God’s Promises are Sure; God’s Presence and power are available. God’s Servant Can take Courage and go forward.
4. God’s Servant Can take Courage and go forward. 6 “Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Although, Joshua is afraid and unsure of himself, he must be strong and full of courage. Joshua would not have a burning bush, but he would have the word of God. He will experience God’s presence and power in His word. He must pray, read it, meditate on it, study it, and allow the word to rule his life. Joshua will need its wisdom to handle to affairs of the nation. He must not neglect the word. It will lead to good success. Many people think that power is based on influential contacts, meeting the right people, racing up the ladder of success. The Strategy God teaches about prosperity is totally different. God says, develop a confident attitude, be strong, be brave, obey God’s commands and you will successful everywhere you go. The word of God provides all you will need for successful living.
God advice was don’t turn away from the word. Culture will be calling you away. Popular opinion will try to influence you. Even your tribal family will distract you. If Joshua would observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
Knowing all the competing voices, God asked a question, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
These verses reveal the heart of God for his people. God wanted his people to rule and reign in life. He wanted them to occupy land they had not clear, live in houses they had not build and eat from vineyards they had not planted.
Ps 16:11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Ps 23:1-6 “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
The path of life and blessings reserved in heaven is an extension of what God desires for his children on earth. It all hinges on a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. That relationship has three characters (1) the source of blessings and life flows from the presence of God. (2) the second the supply of life and blessing has to do with an endless supply, the fullness of joy. (3) The third , the permanence of God’s provision, the pleasures evermore. We can have Courage to face of Uncertainty because God’s purpose will be fulfilled; God’s Promises are Sure; God’s Presence and Power are Available, and God’s Servant Can take Courage and go forward. We are reminded that faith in God is the victory that overcomes the world.
