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Joshua 1:1-9
Stephen Caswell © 1999
Introduction
At the beginning of 1999 we face an exciting new year.
We have challenges different from any other year before now.
We are fast approaching the turn of the millennium.
Incredible problems face the leaders of governments worldwide.
They do not seem to have the answers for the worlds problems of famine, disease, war, unemployment, and civil unrest.
/What lies ahead for you and your family?
Is your future uncertain?//
Is there instability in your work place?
How can we confidently enter this new year when there is so much uncertainty?
Does God equip His people for the tasks He calls them to?/ /Can we have confidence in times of uncertainty?/
Joshua faced a similar situation when God commissioned him to lead Israel into the land of Canaan.
The D Day Invasion Force
The War had been raging in Europe for some five years now.
The struggle had been long and hard.
In the spring of 1944 the Allies prepared one of the largest invasion forces ever assembled to that time.
They wanted to be ready and every effort was made to accomplish that.
They carefully evaluated their forces and those of their enemies.
They planned considering many alternatives.
They considered their enemies strengths and weaknesses and many things right down to the tides and the weather.
The channel crossing was also of the utmost importance.
*Once the D Day invasion had started there could be no going back.
*Many lives were at stake and bad plans could be devastating.
Can you imagine the strain upon the generals as they worked through all of this.
And in particular General Ommaha Bradley the commander in chief of the allied forces.
Joshua's Predicament
*Similarly*: The Children of Israel had been lead out of Egypt by Moses and the Lord had performed many miracles to enable them to do this.
But because of sin and unbelief they wandered in the wilderness for 40 years.
Moses had been a faithful leader, a great man of God.
Now he was dead, and Joshua felt intimidated by the size of the task and the stature of his predecessor.
This was when God commissioned him for the task of possessing the promised land.
/Can you imagine the weight of responsibility that lay upon him?/
He had to lead 2 million people into hostile territory.
I can fully understand his predicament.
I have been uncomfortable about taking on tasks of no significance when compared to this one.
/Brothers and sisters do you feel overwhelmed by the job requirements before you this year?
Are you fearful of what lies ahead at work, university or school?
Perhaps you have been asked to take on a ministry you feel inadequate for?
/Maybe you feel intimidated by the future!*
Perhaps you feel that you are not equipped to handle the ministry you are called to.
*/What does the Bible have to say to us about taking on tasks for our God?/
This morning we will see that God gives Joshua two things.
*Firstly* He gives Joshua a *Commission, *to lead Israel into Canaan.
* *
*Secondly* He gives Joshua the *Provisions* to carry it out.
*1.
Commissioned*
a.
God's Person Prepared
God understood exactly what Joshua was going through at this time; so He encouraged His servant.
Joshua had been Moses aid.
He had faithfully served him.
He had been appointed as Moses replacement by God Himself.
We read of this in Deuteronomy 31:1-7.
Now Joshua needed to be reminded of God's call for him.
He needed to hear the Lord speak to him as He had to Moses.
So this is exactly what God does.
The Lord says/ " Moses my *servant* is dead.
"/ v.1-2
His work is now finished, but I have a task for you to do.
God knew Joshua.
He knew that he was the right man for the job.
He had trained Joshua under Moses!
In the same way God knows you and has a plan for your life.
He has shaped your circumstances and life to prepare you for His service.
/Are you being obedient to His plan?/
In these first 9 verses God refers to Moses as His servant 3 times.
This was important.
If Joshua was to be successful He must know that he is serving the Lord, his Master.
Right at the outset of his commission, God impresses upon Joshua that this great leader, Moses, was a servant.
Joshua had to learn to be a servant.
At the end of his life, God refers to Joshua as His servant [Josh 24:29].
/Have you submitted to God's rule?
Are you His servant?
/
b.
God's Plan is Presented
God had chosen Israel to be His special people.
He had promised to give them the Land of Canaan.
But he needed someone to lead them in so that he could accomplish His plans.
In *Joshua 1:2 *God */commissions/* Joshua giving him the task.
/"Moses My servant is dead.
Now therefore, arise, *go over this Jordan*, you and all this people, *to the land which I am giving to them* -- the children of Israel.
/
/ /
Joshua's Task
He was to lead the people across the Jordan River and go into the land of Canaan to possess it.
God spelt out the boundaries in *verse 4.* This task would not be accomplished quickly.
It would take commitment and continual trust in God if all the land was to be possessed.
He would have to conquer walled cities and face giants.
But there was a condition to possessing the land.
In* Joshua 1:3* we read: /" Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
/
*/God would bless whatever they attempted for Him, No more!/*/
This is true today.
God will not bless what we do not attempt.
*William Carey** *coined this famous quote, *" Attempt great things for God , expect great things of God! " */
*In the first 4 verses God lays out His Commission for Joshua.*
But so that Joshua would not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task God then revealed His provision so that he would be victorious.
*His provision would equip Joshua for the task.*
He does this from verse 5-9.
* *
*2.
Provisioned*
In *Joshua 1:5-6* we read: /"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.
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