JOSHUA
THE POSTURE OF PRAYER
“WHAT DO YOU WANY, LORD”
Date: March 10, 2002 PM Service
Place: Allendale Baptist
Text: Joshua 5:13-15
Introduction
When we think of the name & the man Joshua, our mind may go back to the song “Joshua fit the battle of Jericho and the walls came tumbling’ down”.
Joshua’s place in history was much greater than that one episode. He was the son of noble parents. He was enslaved in Egypt, but was never enslaved inwardly. Once he had tasted freedom he looked forward to crossing into the new land.
*Joshua was Moses’ right hand man.
*Joshua was a soldier.
*He was a spy_ he and Caleb alone brought back a good report of the land of milk & honey.
Josh. 1:5- He was blessed with the presence of God.
Josh. 1:8- He was a student of the Word of God.
Num. 32:12- He was obedient to the will of God.
But most of all Joshua was a man of prayer
SOMEONE HAS SAID IF WE WANT TO BE MUCH FOR GOD, WE MUST BE MUCH WITH GOD.
The storming of the walls of Jericho is only one of the many episodes in the life of Joshua, but it teaches us volumes about his prayer life.
First notice his…
I. Perception (v.13)
A. As Joshua stood before the great obstacle of the fortified city of Jericho He came to realize his inability to complete his mission.
B. But then he becomes aware of someone close by, another soldier, and a warrior.
C. This stranger has appeared before in the Scriptures. Also called the “Angel of the Lord”
1. He appeared to Abraham when he was sacrificing Isaac
2. To Hager when run off by Sarah
3. To the children of Israel through pillars of fire & smoke.
4. To Moses in the burning bush
5. To Jacob at Peniel When he wrestled with Him through the night.
D. This I believe is the pre incarnate Christ.
E. He is not alone in this battle. Jesus is with him. And so He is with us.
Notice not only his Perception but also his…
II. Position (v.14)
A. When he becomes aware of the Lord’s presence he falls down on his face & worships God.
B. Philippians 2:10-11 “ every knee shall bow & every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.”
C. As we are aware of God’s presence we should be compelled to worship Him.
D. This is where I must stop a say I worry about God’s people not truly worshipping Him. So many times we just come and meet with each other but fail to realize we have meet with a Holy Living awesome God.
And last his………
III. Performance (v.15)
A. When God speaks to us we must be ready to obey.
B. For Joshua, humility lead to reverence & reverence lead to obedience.
C. The reason there is so little obedience to Christ is that there is so little love for Him
Joshua is a good example of complete obedience. How do we measure up? Most of us want to obey God. But don’t fully; we just can’t go all the way.
Someone has said partial obedience is total disobedience.
Invitation
