Elevate to the Next Level
“Living God’s Vision”
Joshua 1
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God put us on this earth for a reason. Therefore, God has a vision for our lives and wants to use us for His purpose, which is far beyond anything any of us could ever imagine.
However, we have a problem when it comes to God’s purpose for our lives. It involves the barriers we erect in our minds and hearts. Barriers that say, “How could God ever use someone like me?”
But for God to use us, we have to change the way we think. The Bible says that as a person thinks in their heart, that is who they’re going to be (Proverbs 23:7).
Therefore, since God has a vision, that is, a purpose and plan for our lives, we need to find out what that is, because otherwise, if we’re not being used by God, then what are we doing with our lives?
The Bible says, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)
And, through Jeremiah, the Lord says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you … thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV)
The Apostle Paul tells us that God is able to do abundantly more for us than we could ever ask or imagine (Ephesians 2:30).
We are made in the image and likeness of God, and since God is the Creator, He has made us creative as well. And in that creativity, He’s given us the ability to imagine. So, imagine what God can do in and through your life?
Unfortunately, many people have no imagination about what God wants to do. Even though we can marvel at human imagination, we still can’t imagine God using us.
But God wants to use us in great and mighty ways. Therefore, we need to employ our imagination. Where is our imagination for the kingdom of God? Can we see God’s vision for our lives? And when God starts revealing it, we need to start living it.
Tonight, I’d like to continue looking at the life of Joshua, something we started this morning in our new sermon series, “Unprecedented Faith.” And when I finished putting this message together, I realized that it probably should have been the last in our sermon series from last year on “Elevating to the Next Level.”
Now, from Joshua’s life, as we look at Joshua chapter one, there are four things we need to do if we desire to be used by God. And please know this, that God does remarkable things through ordinary people, like you and me, who imagine their lives as being something more.
And so, the first of the four things, so that we can elevate our discipleship to the next level by living God’s vision for our lives, is our need to dump our doubts.
Dump the Doubts
One of the biggest imagination busters is doubt. We must let go of doubt to step into the plans, purposes, and vision of God.
Doubt limits our potential. It causes procrastination, and we miss out on God’s best. We see this doubt when we say, “I doubt that God could use me,” and when we doubt God by using all these excuses about why we can’t be used by God.
The Apostle James says that if anyone lacks wisdom, they should ask God, and God will liberally supply whatever wisdom is needed.
But then he adds, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7 NIV)
Before God can use us, we’ve got to deal with this doubt issue.
Joshua also struggled with doubt. In the military, it would have been said of Joshua that he had a confidence problem. And who wouldn’t? Look who he was following: Moses.
Who among us would want to be the follow-up act to Moses? Moses was like Johnny Carson, with Joshua as Ed McMahon.
And then there’s the assignment Joshua was given. He was to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land, something Moses failed to do.
Joshua had his doubts. Why do I know this? Well, right before the campaign, God had to give Joshua a pep talk, and He told Joshua to be strong and courageous three times.
“Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV)
The Lord told Joshua to dump his doubts because God would be with him.
Doubt is a choice. People choose to doubt rather than live by faith. What’s even sadder is that people believe their doubts and doubt their beliefs. Instead, let’s begin to doubt our doubts, believe in what we say we believe, and trust that God wants to use us and give us great and precious promises.
There are two basic things that cause doubt. The first is comparison.
Comparing Ourselves
Instead of looking to God, we start looking at everybody else. We say they have more talent, better abilities, more education, and experience. Or they may be like me, better looking. Maybe I should doubt my belief in that one!
The Bible says that comparing ourselves to others is foolish.
“But they are only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” (2 Corinthians 10:12b NLT)
Joshua was constantly comparing himself to Moses, which is why God had to remind Joshua that “Moses My servant is dead.” (Joshua 1:2a). And then the Lord tells Joshua to get the people ready to move out.
The second thing that causes doubt is remembering our failures.
Remembering Our Failures
Remembering our past failures is like replaying a movie in our minds over and over again.
God doesn’t want us to dwell on our past failures. Now, “knowing” our past mistakes helps us avoid repeating them, but “dwelling” on them keeps us from moving forward. Focusing on our past failures will never help us in the present, nor will it allow God to use us in the future.
Think about the people God used in the Bible.
Abraham gave his wife away, not once but twice, but from Him came the Jewish race.
Jacob was a liar and manipulator before he became the father of the twelve tribes.
Moses was a murderer before he became the deliverer.
King David was an adulterer and murderer, but God used him as the King of Israel, and from his line would come the Messiah, Jesus.
Paul was a religious terrorist, but after his conversion, he was the greatest missionary of all time, and it has been estimated that he wrote almost 25 percent of the New Testament.
Peter was hardheaded, had a temper, and was always putting his foot in his mouth, but he became the unofficial leader of the first church.
But God used them just as He wants to use us.
The Apostle Paul said, “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead.” (Philippians 3:13 NKJV)
The second thing, if we want to be used by God, is to believe God’s Promises
Believe God’s Promises
Even at the beginning, God reminds Joshua of the promise that He (God) made.
“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.” (Joshua 1:3 NKJV)
When God makes a promise, He keeps it. If God says He’s going to use us, He’ll use us. If He says He’ll bless us, He’ll bless us. God keeps His promises and His word.
Even at the end of his life, Joshua confirmed this reality.
“You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.” (Joshua 23:14 NIV)
If you want to be used by God, believe in His promises. You’ll find His promises in the Bible. If we’re going to grow in our faith, we’ve got to build it on God’s word.
To Joshua, God promised three things.
First, He promised strength. In verse 5, God said no one would be able to stand against them. Whatever God asks us to do, He’ll give us the strength to do it. There’s an old adage that says, “Where God guides, God provides.”
Second, God promised Joshua success. Twice in chapter 1, God tells Joshua he’ll be successful. But God’s promise of success isn’t in the world; rather, it’s in God’s calling.
Third, God promises support. In verse 9, God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because God will be with him wherever he goes. It’s said that God’s word done God’s way will not lack God’s support.
If you want to receive God’s promises for your life, get into the Bible. This is what God told Joshua.
“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.” (Joshua 1:8 NKJV)
Notice the order of the wording. Success doesn’t happen until there’s obedience. Success isn’t based on our ability; rather, it’s based on our commitment to God’s word.
And so the first thing we need to do is to dump our doubts and then believe in God’s promises.
Lean on God
To lean means to depend on whatever we’re leaning on. If we lean on a wall, we’re trusting that the wall will hold us up. And that’s what God is asking us to do.
To Joshua God said, “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.” (Joshua 1:5 NKJV)
God said, “Hey Joshua, you can lean on Me.” And that’s what Joshua did. When Joshua leaned on God, he was undefeatable. But when he stopped and leaned on his own understanding, he failed.
After defeating Jericho and Ai, Joshua and the elders felt confident. When a group of men came into camp seeking a treaty because they were from a faraway land, Joshua and the elders looked at their clothing and supplies and made the treaty. Only later did they realize that these people lived right next door, and they weren’t then able to attack or possess their land.
Joshua forgot to inquire of God first; he leaned on his own understanding and didn’t seek God’s wisdom and understanding.
The Bible says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV)
Who or what are we leaning on for strength? Is it other people, possessions, or power? These are shaky foundations that will let us down in the end. We can’t even lean on ourselves because we make promises we can’t keep.
But having a faith that works means believing that God will hold us up and keep His promises.
Step Out In Faith
There comes a time when we have to stop discussing what God has called us to do and actually do it. We have to step out in faith. If God tells us, then let’s stop praying about it and do it.
We have to step out despite our feelings, fears, and doubts. There’s a time when we have to get off our blessed assurances and get it in gear.
This is what Joshua did.
“Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people.” (Joshua 1:10 NKJV)
The moment had come. God commanded them to move, so they had to finally go for it. They had to cross the Jordan River, which at any other time wouldn’t have been a problem, but now the river was big and scary. It was the flood season, and there were no bridges.
They had to step out in faith, and that is exactly what they did. The priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant had to step into the water. Here they were, with water up to their knees. But they believed God’s promises and stepped out in faith, and God stopped the waters several miles up. And the people crossed over.
So the question becomes, what is your Jordan? What is the barrier that keeps you from being used by God? Whatever it is, step out in faith. Understand that the first step is always the hardest, but we have to move forward by faith.
God said to Joshua, “Be strong and very courageous.” Courage isn’t the absence of fear; rather, it’s moving forward despite our fear. God’s miracle and purpose lie ahead of us, not behind us.
Some say, “I’m too old for this stepping out business.” But Joshua was about 80 years old at the time.
Others say, “Now isn’t a good time.” But look at what Solomon says, “He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap.” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 NKJV)
Solomon said that if we’re waiting for the right time or perfect conditions, we’ll never get anything done.
Conclusion
Can you imagine what God wants to do in your life? There’s no greater thrill than being used by God.
And if God isn’t using us, we’re wasting the life He has so graciously given.
So, let’s dump our doubts, believe in God’s promises, lean on the Lord, and step out in faith to fulfill God's purposes and will. That way, we can live out God’s vision for our lives.
