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Trusting God’s Faithfulness

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Passage: Joshua 1:1-9 – Encouragement of Joshua

1After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’s assistant: 2“Moses my servant is dead. Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites. 3I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses. 4Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River — all the land of the Hittites — and west to the Mediterranean Sea. 5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.

6“Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance. 7Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. 9Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Introduction:

In 2001, Peter Jackson wrote and directed one of the most successful film adaptations of one of the most influential book series of all time: the Lord of the Rings. In the first movie, “The Fellowship of the Ring”, a young hobbit named Frodo Baggins is faced with the monumental task of destroying a magic ring before a great evil could use it to plunge the world into darkness. This task was filled with incalculable dangers and would require strength and courage on Frodo’s part to see it through to its completion. 

Today, we’re going to take a look at a passage of scripture where a man is faced with a monumental task that would require, not only incredible strength and courage, but also an unwavering trust in God’s faithfulness to see the task through to its completion. I’ve entitled this sermon (slide) Trusting God’s Faithfulness, and we will be looking at Joshua 1:1-9.

The book of Joshua is what’s referred to as a historical narrative, and it marks a significant transition in Israel’s history. For over forty years, Moses led God’s people to a place called the Promised Land, something God promised to Abraham more than 600 years prior in Genesis 17:7-8. This book begins with God’s people ready to enter the Promised Land. However, as the passage opens, we see an unfortunate turn of events: Moses didn’t get to enter the Promised Land. Instead, God called another man by the name of Joshua to the monumental task of leading God’s people in Moses’ place. Let’s take a look at our passage today to see the circumstances surrounding this change in leadership, and the promises associated with it.

(read passage)

This is probably one of the most inspirational passages in the Bible, and it marks the change in leadership from Moses, “the lord’s servant”, and Joshua, son of Nun.

Concerning Moses: he is regarded as one of the greatest leaders in the Bible. He was the man who miraculously liberated God’s people from slavery, he parted the Red Sea, he gave Israel the Ten Commandments, but most importantly, he had a relationship with the Lord like no other. If we look at Exodus 33:11, (slide) we see that “…the Lord would speak with Moses face to face, just as a man speaks with his friend.” Moses’ significance as a leader could never be overstated. For Joshua to step into Moses’ shoes would be no small feat.

Concerning Joshua, we see him appear through Exodus and Numbers. He’s often referred to as Moses’ “aide and assistant”. When Moses spoke face to face with the Lord, Joshua was there with Moses (Ex. 24:13). When God’s people faced their enemies in the wilderness, Joshua led the people in battle (Ex. 17). He was one of the few who surveyed the Promised Land, and one of only two who got to enter it (Num. 14:30), because Joshua was a man who trusted God to be faithful to His Word.

As we study this passage, we’re going to look at how God calls Joshua to a monumental task, and how the elements of God’s calling apply to the lives of all God’s people. So, let’s look at these elements, beginning with our first point: (slide) God’s Call to Action.

Point 1: God’s Call to Action (v. 1-4)

It’s important not to gloss over the fact that God spoke to Joshua. Moses knew God face to face, but no less supernatural is the fact that God chose to speak directly to Joshua. In this exchange, we see God call Joshua to prepare himself and all the people to cross over the Jordan River (an obstacle we’ll take a closer look at later in this sermon). God’s call requires action on Joshua’s part. Starting in verse 2, God says to Joshua:

“2…Now you and all the people prepare to cross over the Jordan to the land I am giving the Israelites.”

Then, later in verse 6, God continues by saying “…(Joshua) will distribute the land (God) swore to their ancestors to give them as an inheritance.” God’s call to action is for Joshua to prepare himself, lead others into, and take hold of something God has already promised.

God refers to this promise as an “inheritance”. An inheritance is typically something a father gives to his children; it’s a birthright, a privilege that a child is given, not because of who they are, but rather who their father is. God’s people have an inheritance, not because we are remarkable, but because our Father is remarkable! 

God made a promise to His people, and His call to action is for them to receive it. However, God does NOT call his people to be spoiled brats who simply do nothing to receive His promises. No, action required on their parts to receive it. Look back at verse 3.

“3I have given you every place where the sole of your foot treads, just as I promised Moses.

God’s people have to go into this land to receive their promised inheritance. This would require effort; it would require God’s people to be purposeful. If we look back at verse 3, they have to cross the Jordan River. Normally, the Jordan River is somewhere between 90-100 feet in width at any given point along its course. However, SPOILER ALERT: if we look ahead at Joshua 3:15, we find out the Jordan River was at its flood stage, meaning it was wider, deeper, and the current stronger than normal. Crossing this river would be life-threatening at the very least. Nevertheless, this is the action God called Joshua and His people to; cross the Jordan, and enter the lands described in verse 4.

“4Your territory will be from the wilderness and Lebanon to the great river, the Euphrates River — all the land of the Hittites — and west to the Mediterranean Sea.”

We have a map to help show the extent of the land God is referring to (map slide). According to Google, this land was roughly 6,750 square miles, which isn’t huge. However, during Joshua’s time, it was occupied by numerous kings and fortified cities who stood against God’s people. “Inheriting” this land wouldn’t be easy because it would entail conflict. This would require God’s people to follow His instructions. This leads to our second point: (slide) God’s Call to Obedience.

Point 2: God’s Call to Obedience (v. 5-8)

40 years prior to our passage, Israel was in the same position to enter the Promised Land. Joshua, although he was younger at the time, was present to witness God’s people attempt to take the Promised Land. However, they faltered in following God’s instruction and instead chose to do it their own way, and the results were disastrous. If we look at Numbers 14:43-45, Moses warned God’s people. (slide)

“43Because you have turned away from the Lord, he will not be with you and you will fall by the sword.’ …44Nevertheless, in their presumption they went up… 45Then the Amalekites and the Canaanites who lived in that hill country came down and attacked them and beat them down…”

Joshua had seen firsthand the results of attempting to follow God without obeying His instructions. If God’s people are called to action, they must be careful to observe how God would lead them. Let’s look back at our passage in verse 7, God’s most important calling is this:

“7Above all, be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.”

Above all other things, God wanted Joshua to prioritize God’s Word. God continues by telling Joshua in verse 8, “…meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.” God wants His people to be dedicated to His Word. However, this calling comes with a promise. God tells Joshua that, in dedicating himself to God’s instructions, he would, “have success wherever (he went), and he would “…prosper and succeed in whatever (he did)”.

This past week, Pastor Matt preached a sermon about the spread of the gospel in Acts 17, the Apostle Paul described how people received God’s Word. In verse 11, it says “they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily” to determine if God was faithful to His Word. We are privileged to have immediate access to the Bible. We should eagerly examine it; we should meditate on it day and night. Why? Because, through it, God instructs us, He equips us, and He encourages us. Look back at verse 5 in our passage. God tells Joshua,

“5No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or abandon you.”

We should find encouragement in God’s word, but we also shouldn’t be naive. Following the Lord isn’t always easy. It requires effort; sometimes it includes conflict, and it most definitely requires dedication. For Joshua, it would get harder before it got easier. After all, God called him to lead people across a raging river to take hold of a land filled with hostile forces. So, God called Joshua to be prepared, dedicated, and finally we see Him call Joshua to be strong and courageous which leads us to our third, and final point: (slide) God’s Call to Boldness.

Point 3: God’s Call to Boldness (v. 9)

Let’s take a look at verse 6 in our passage. God tells Joshua to, “…Be strong and courageous”. Then again in verse 7. …above all, be strong and very courageous”. Then finally, in verse 9,

9Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Notice that God is “commanding” Joshua to be strong and courageous. The task ahead of Joshua would include numerous obstacles. First, he would have to lead God’s people across a raging river (Joshua 3). Then, they would come face to face with the fortified city Jericho (Joshua 6). Throughout chapters 6-12 we read about the many battles they faced. Joshua would even have to deal with the consequences of someone else’s sin; consequences that brought death and defeat among God’s people (Joshua 7:16-26). 

Joshua would face obstacles of many kinds, any one of which could have drawn Joshua into fear and discouragement. However, God’s call to Joshua was not to fear, but to strength and courage because the Lord was with him. I’m reminded of a passage that comes from Psalm 34:19. (slide)

“One who is righteous has many adversities, but the LORD rescues him from them all.”

When God’s people dedicate themselves to the Lord, we can count on the fact that we will, at some point, encounter difficulties. Joshua would encounter many difficulties, but ultimately his dedication to the Lord would lead him to experience God’s faithfulness. If we look at Joshua 23:14, we see Joshua, at the end of his life, having accomplished ALL God had tasked him to do, said this regarding God’s faithfulness: (slide)

“14I am now going the way of the whole earth, and you know with all your heart and all your soul that none of the good promises the Lord your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.”

Joshua had followed God faithfully, and in so doing experienced that God was faithful. So, Joshua, in verse Joshua 23:6 called all God’s people as God had called him: (slide)

“6Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, not turning aside from it to the right or to the left.”

As God called Joshua to be faithful in following Him, so also He calls all His people to follow Him faithfully. This brings us to our bottom line: (slide) God calls His people to follow Him faithfully.

Bottom Line: God calls His people to follow Him faithfully.

Following God isn’t always easy, and coincidentally it requires a great amount of faith. It requires faith to take action when God calls us, to be obedient when He guides us, and to be bold when things stand in our way. It’s difficult to be faithful when it’s so much easier to be discouraged. However, as God commanded Joshua in verse 9, we should also remember God’s words of encouragement.

“9Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

When we are dedicated to following the Lord, we can be assured that His plans will prevail. I’m reminded of another famous passage that encourages us to trust God’s faithfulness. It comes from the book of Jeremiah 29:11, and in it, God says, (slide)

“For I know the plans I have for you” —this is the LORD’s declaration—“plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God has a plan for everyone of His people, no matter how big or small the person or the plan. So, let’s be faithful to follow the Lord. Let this passage challenge you in this way:

Weekly Challenge(s):

  1. Identify how God wants to lead you.

Here are some practical ways to determine how God wants to lead you daily:

  • Spend time reading the Bible. Take our passage for example; Joshua 1:8 says, “…meditate on it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it.”
  • …If you need a place to start, Paul’s letters (Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians) are excellent examples of how we are to live our lives as followers of Christ.
  • Spend time in prayer. James 1:5 tells us, “…if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him.”
  • …prayer is how we communicate with the Lord. We also shouldn’t be surprised when He communicates with us as He did with Joshua.

Closing:

(Gospel presentation & closing prayer)

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