Graduating seniors, you are coming to the most intense crossroads of your life. You will become almost intoxicated by the newly acquired freedoms, and you will become frantic as you realize that you are basically on your own. I believe one of the most applicable scripture texts for your situation is found in the first chapter of Joshua. Moses had just passed from the scene. He had an illustrious ministry in leading the Israelites out of the land of bondage, and through 40 years of trials and blessings in the wilderness: Trials, because Israel was often rebellious and faithless; but blessed, because the Heavenly Father always met their needs.
Because of Moses’ volatile temper, his patience ran out when God told him to speak to the rock and water would come forth. He struck it instead, which led to his physical death. Not only did he disobey the Father, but he destroyed one of God’s pictorials of Christ’s second advent. The first occasion when God told Moses to strike the rock, this pictured Christ’s first advent -- He was bruised for our iniquities. The second command -- "speak to the rock" was to be God’s type of Christ’s second advent -- ruling an earth filled with peace because Satan has been bound.
But Moses blew it. Therefore, neither he, nor any of the Israelites above the age of 20, were permitted to cross over into the promise land, with the exception of Joshua and Caleb.
Joshua, who had been mentored and groomed by Moses, was being raised up to take Moses’ place in the leadership of Israel. The first chapter of Joshua was filled with God’s wonderful promises to the new leader and to the remaining Israelites. But there was also a stern warning to them if they failed to "be strong and of a good courage". I want to submit five thoughts to the graduates today, and to anyone who is embarking upon a major life-change.
I. THE PAST IS PAST 1:2 "Moses, my servant is dead. . ." The old era had passed. Moses had lived out his days. A new leader was on the scene, and it was the responsibility of the Israelites to transfer their alligience to Joshua. He was now in the driver’s seat.
Graduates, high school days were fun, but they are over. Carefree days of eating from Momma’s table were great, but they’re basically over. Groundings from using the car, and restrictions to your rooms for failure to make good grades are no longer going to be a part of your life. You will be off in college, on your own, and frankly, you will look back longingly, many times, wishing for the safety and security of home. But it’s over! Get over it! Moses is dead!
This same principle applies in every facet of life. Churches have terrible problems forgetting the past. My old former church in Waxahachie Texas is leaving their grand old church building, one they had occupied for over 40 years, to go to a temporary space, while they await the construction of their new building in another part of town. It will be a sad, tearful goodbye. There were lots of memories in that old building. But it’s been sold! It’s in their past! They had better get over it, and look with joy to what God has for them in the new location.
Remember Lot’s wife? God told her husband to get the family and get out of Sodom and Gomorrah because judgement was coming. He commanded them to not look back. But Lot’s wife did, and turned to a pillar of salt. Do not make the mistake of living in the past. It will kill your open doors and turn your future into an old block of salt.
II. THE TRANSITION IS TURBULENT: 1:2
". . .arise, go over this Jordan. . ." Certain times of the year, the Jordan was swollen out of her banks. The waters were treacherous during those times. God does not always lead us to places that are convenient or comfortable. Sometimes He leads us through troubled waters.
It is not going to be easy to be a kid on a major university campus, standing in endless lines to sign up for courses, which are already becoming overcrowded. It is not going to be pleasant standing in line in the college bookstore to buy books, which cost three times what you will ever get back from them (or seemingly out of them) It won’t be pleasant moving into a cramped little dorm room and find out your roommate is the son or daughter of a wiccan priest.
But "cross over this Jordan"! God has a wonderful plan for your life. There are blessings -- open doors -- joyful occasions on the horizon. But the trip there may not be tranquil.
III. THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT 1:3
"Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses".
Those promises are yours for the taking. They are already realized in the mind of a Sovereign God. He didn’t bring you this far to leave you. He has a glorious, wonderful plan for you. "The steps of a good man are ordered of the Lord". God will order your steps. In fact, He has already ordered them.
1:9 -- God says, "I will be with you". He told Joshua over and over, "I will not fail you, nor forsake you". Jesus gave us that very same promise in the New Testament. "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee".
The goldsmith may put intense heat to the caldron of gold, but he will never leave the pot! And God will never leave you. He will be silent at various times,and He may permit you to hurt some, but that does not mean that he has neglected you or left you.
1:7 -- God says, "I will prosper you". God never led the Israelites anywhere without making provisions for them. But they could never recognize them and be thankful for those times when God met their needs. Since God has chosen a definite path for your life, you may rest assured He will provide for you. Why would a Sovereign God lead someone somewhere and then drop them? That’s not how God works.
1:13 -- God says, "I will give you rest. . " Blessed are His children when they enter into that realm of rest in Him. The writer of Hebrews warned that judgement comes to God’s children who fail, or refuse to rest in Him. That text in Hebrews 4 was in reference to "the provocation", that tragic event in the wilderness when the Israelites revolted against Moses’ leadership. They said, "We are better off to die in the wilderness, than to cross over Jordan and be victimized by the fortified cities and giants in Canaan". So God basically said to them, "Well if dying in the wilderness is what you want, dying in the wilderness is what you are going to get!" So none of them were permitted to see Canaan, except for Joshua and Caleb, along with all the Israelites age 20 and under. They failed to enter into Canaan because they failed to enter into God’s "rest".
Graduate, no matter what your path, if God selected it, then you can rest in Him. He is able to bring it to pass. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
IV THE COMMAND IS CLEAR
Be Strong: 1:6 Not in the arm of the flesh! Not by your might, but the strength of the Lord. Rely on His strength
Stay on track - 1:7 ". . 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. ."
There will be many detours in your path. Satan would love nothing better than to distract you from your goal in life. It may be a hobby, a side-line job which can make you lots of quick money, or it may be a woman.
How many times have I heard preachers be advised to get their teacher’s certificate "so they can have something to fall back on". Then often what happens is, the preacher falls back on it, and never fulfills that calling on his life to the ministry. Please stay on message! Stay on track. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.
Follow God-given leadership 1:17 "According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee". For four years, you "hearkened unto" your high school teachers. They took special interest in you. Remember, you are no longer in high school. There is a new paradigm -- a new schedule, and an altogether new educational atmosphere -- a new location hundreds of miles from Momma and Daddy.
In reference to the church, many church members find it difficult to follow the new pastor, because he is just not like the old one. But to the credit of the Israelites, they were willing to follow the new leader as they followed Moses. You follow your new leadership, just as you did in high school.
Prepare - 1:11 "prepare you victuals (a meal) for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan". Yes, God will make the way for you, but you must do your part to prepare for the journey.
Stay in the Word 1:8 "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: It is vital that you stay in God’s word, for contained in it, is the guidelines to life. Not only that, the word is life! Hide it in your heart. Commit it’s precepts to your life. live by it, and obey it.
V. THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO TRUST IN HIM ARE CERTAIN: V. 18 Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandments, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death; only be strong and of a good courage".
They already had an object lesson in Moses. Great as he was, he was not immune to the judgement of God for rebelling against His commands. He died, never seeing the promise land. If you take another path, it might not mean sudden death for you, but it can mean the death of a great, wonderful career, and it may mean a hard, unfulfilled existence.
Most of all, BE STRONG AND OF A GOOD COURAGE. Have a wonderful life in Jesus Christ.
