Joshua 1:1-9 – Starting Over
Jeffrey Anselmi wrote these words: “I am the new year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn’t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it but with more determination. All the good that you tried for and didn’t achieve is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn’t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have – these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new."”
Well, I know that we are already in the 2nd Sunday of the New Year, but I felt that it would still be appropriate to begin a series on starting over. Turn with me to the book of Joshua. Let’s read Joshua 1:1-9.
I need to give you some history background. The Israelites, the extended family of Jacob, a.k.a. Israel, have been freed slavery. They were the unwilling servants to the Pharoah in Egypt for 400 years. Eventually their cries for deliverance grew so great that God answered them. God sent Moses, one of their own, raised in the palaces of Pharoah, to be their leader, which he did well. Moses led them out of Egypt after a series of unfortunate events, called plagues, convinced the powers-that-be that the Hebrews, the Israelites, were more trouble than they were worth.
Moses led them out but the group was fairly ungrateful. They complained pretty adamantly about not having enough to eat or enough to drink, even though God had just shown them that He was more than willing and able to meet their needs. They got to Mt. Sinai, also called Mt.Horeb, where the Law was given. And soon this group found themselves on the eastern side of the Jordan River, which flowed north to south. Why the eastern side? Because the western side was occupied. The western side, this rectangular piece of land some 250 miles long, between 30 and 60 miles wide, this land called The Promised Land, was overrun by people collectively called the Canaanites.
Moses sent 12 spies across the river to find out what kind of people were there. When the spies returned, 2 of them – Joshua and Caleb – reported that the land was ripe for taking. The other 10 said it would be impossible to take the land, because the people in Canaan were so big, the spies felt like grasshoppers in comparison.
Well, the majority of the Israelites believed the 10 with the bad report. God was not pleased with this, because the people chose to believe the 10 instead of the 2. More importantly, the people chose to believe the opinion of others instead of the opinion of God, who had promised the land in the 1st place. So, out of punishment for their lack of faith, God sentenced the Israelites to “wander” in the desert, 4 years for each negative report, totaling 40 years. It is now at the end of that 40 years.
And Moses is now dead – v2. That’s not just a piece of daily news. It’s more than historical fact. What that means, is that a new day is here. The old has gone. God was saying, you cannot live in the past anymore. That preacher, he’s gone. That leader, they’ve left. That hurtful time, it’s over. That betrayal, it’s past. That letdown, it’s done with. That event that changed you and scarred you and has defined so much of who you are, it is time to leave it. Put it behind you. With the grace of God, you do not have to be a slave of your past, whatever you did or whatever happened to you. Christ has set you free from it. Claim that promise.
After all, look at God’s promises of blessings: promises of land (v2-4), and promises of His presence (v5). Just as He promised Moses, He promised to Joshua – v3. And look at the verbs: “I’m giving” (v2), “I’ve given” (v3), “I’ve sworn” (v6). You see? God had already promised the land to them. He promised it to them 40 years earlier, and He promised it to them almost 700 years earlier to their forefather Abraham. His promises were there for the believing. Folks, the reason we live so far below our potential has nothing to do with God; it has to do with our lack of faith. Ephesians 1:3 says that He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing. Why don’t we have them? Where’s our joy? Where’s our confidence? Where are the answered prayers? We don’t have them because we don’t believe them. We have not because we ask not.
But God is holding out something for us at the beginning of this new year. He’s saying, “I have a new height for you. I have new blessings for you. I have a challenge for you. It may not be easy, but it will indeed be a blessing. Just trust me and obey!” Listen, do you have personal Canaans, areas in your own life that you would like to see conquered? How about areas in prayer? What about sharing your faith? How about sin killing, dealing with the nasties in your heart? What about attitude adjustments? How about Bible reading? It’s not too late to start reading through the Bible this year. What about new depths of love, or faith, or commitment? How about reconciliation? Do you need to go to someone, a friend or family member, and say, “Let’s work this thing out?” Even if they started it? What are your Canaans today?
Now, nobody said that claiming these promised blessings would be easy. After all, if all this good fortune came without a hitch, God would not have told His people to be strong and courageous - v6, 7 and 9. If it was easy to have a positive attitude all the time, then we would. If it was easy to love our neighbors, then we would. If it was easy to forgive, then we would. But it’s not always to live where God’s blessings flow. Remember I said last week – we are in a war. We have a very real enemy who would love nothing more than to steal what God has promised you, to kill every hope God’s given you, and destroy every good fruit God has planted in you. That’s why it’s not easy. Because we are being hindered at every corner.
That’s why we need to be strong and courageous. Folks, doing the right thing is sometimes scary and intimidating, but we need to do it anyway. I think of 5 year old Timmy who was in the kitchen as his mother made supper. She asked him to go into the pantry and get her a can of tomato soup, but he didn’t want to go alone.
"It’s dark in there and I’m scared." She asked again and he persisted. Finally she said, "It’s OK – Jesus will be in there with you."
Johnny walked hesitantly to the door and slowly opened it. He peeked inside, saw it was dark, and started to leave when he thought of an idea. He said, "Jesus, if you’re in there, would you hand me that can of tomato soup?"
That’s courage. That’s standing up to our fears. That’s claiming the blessing that God has promised to us. Kingdom living can be a challenge, but God knows how to dish out the rewards. God wants us to be strong and courageous, to be bold in our walk with Him. This will give us success. For a Christian, success is no more or no less than knowing that God is pleased with your life.
But strength is not simply mustered up. Strength flows from obedience. Deuteronomy 11:8 says: “Observe therefore all the commands I am giving you today, so that you may have the strength to go in and take over the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” See? Strength comes from obedience. Our passage says in v7 to be careful to obey God’s laws. Listen, if you want God’s blessings, if you want His approval, if you want to be happy, you can’t ignore this point. Obeying God is essential for a person to be happy.
I think of Norman Vincent Peale. When he was a boy, he found a big, black cigar, slipped into an alley, and lit up. It didn’t taste good, but it made him feel very grown up…until he saw his father coming. Quickly he put the cigar behind his back and tried to be casual. Desperate to divert his father’s attention, Norman pointed to a billboard advertising the circus. "Can I go, Dad? Please, let’s go when it comes to town."
His father’s reply taught Norman a lesson he never forgot. "Son”, he answered quietly but firmly, "never make a petition while at the same time trying to hide a smoldering disobedience."
But that’s not all. There’s an issue of faith too. Faith in His Word, faith in His promises – v8. Just as obedience is a part of your success – v7, knowing His Word and trusting His Word are too – v8. He has promised not to leave you high and dry when He has called you to do something, but you still have to do it.
But the good thing is, He has indeed promised His presence. He has said that He would be with us even in hard times – v9. You see? Faith in God’s promises, and faith in His presence, mixed together with knowledge and obedience to His Word, will lead you to spiritual victory. Sometimes we need courage to stand up to others, but more so, we need courage to stand up to ourselves. To say no to apathy. To resist selfishness. To fight laziness. To control our wandering thoughts. To grab hold of plans greater than our own. To embrace God’s goals for our lives. Remember: God is for you. He’s on your side. He’s rooting for you. He’s in your corner, cheering you on.
Now, there is a connection between Joshua and Jesus. Hebrews 2:10 says this: “In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation [ that is, Jesus] perfect through suffering.” Just as Joshua led his people to a better place, so does Jesus. In fact, the name Joshua means “Jehovah is salvation” or “the Lord saves.” Which is what Jesus means. Joshua is the Hebrew version of the Greek name Jesus.
Folks, you and I need to respond to Jesus the same way the Israelites responded to Joshua when he told them to get ready to cross the river. Joshua 1:16 says: “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go.” Whatever, wherever, Lord. Folks, conquer your Canaan. Whatever God is leading you to beat this year, respond in faith and obedience. Wherever He wants to lead you in your walk with Him, trust in His promises, trust in His presence. Press for success! Whatever, wherever, go with Him. He’s on your side!
