Be strong and courageous!

November 26 2019, Alice Morrison embarked on three month 2000km trek across Sahara desert. On a website callwed wanderlust, (walking road les travelled) she reveals preparations that ensured success, and things that kept her going.\

May not be in the Sahara, but Christian can be described as wilderness experience. As we await Jesus return, we live our lives in world that is not our home, bodys that are subject to decay. And how easy it can be to lose heart. in face of uncertainty and trials, God’s promises can seem so distant and unreachable.

So how are we to keep going on the journey. This is exactly what Joshua wants his readers to know.

CONTEXT:

Book of Joshua, find people in wilderness experience.

Precipice in history. God’s people face crucial moment - having spent 40 years in desert because of sin, now Spiritual leader Moses dies. Promisese made to Moses seem long time ago. A greneratoin had passed. Between people and promises land lies mighty raging river and opposition in form of nations who oppose God. Did God still care about his people? What would happen to them, and what about God’s promises? Here we pick up history. God appoints new leader - who has been in training under Moses. To him and people, and to us - simple call for journey.

Be strong and courageous in living for God

Let’s have our reading. What will strength and courage look like for Joshua and people of God?

Joshua 1:1–18 NIV

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’ ” But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites. You are to help them until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.” Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

illustration about someone demonstaring courage in own strength? - when we think of courage and strength we think of...

Where is source of strength and courage for Christian life. Are we just called to grit our teeth and get on with. Mustering up some strength within us to overcome? As God speaks to Joshua is it a call to action based on Joshua’s capability and character? No. In this passage we see that God is source of strength and courage, and provides it by reminding Joshua and people of 2 things that were true for Moses, and would be true for Joshua and we will see are just as to us today.

Be strong and courageous: The Lord is with you

Joshua 1:2–5 NIV

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Moses is dead. Greatest leader of God’s people in history, famous Moses. Joshua called not to stop and grief but get up and go - why because God is with him. And not just any God. The eteranl God. The I AM - The Lord - Yahweh. Same God who appeared to reluctant Moses in wilderness and called him with the promise

Exodus 3:12 (NIV)

“I will be with you.

Now makes same promise to Joshua. God hasn’t changed, his promises haven’t failed, and he is now with Joshua just as he was with Moses. 12 times in this book God will remind Joshua of his presence and promises.

And so he is with us. Just celebrated this very truth at Christmas. Jesus was to be called Immanuel - God with us. Moment when disciples were in boat, struggling in storm and see Jesus walking on water - what does he say “don’t be afraid - it is I - literally I AM. Same God who appeared to Moses, spoke to Joshua, came in human form in person of Jesus to be with us. And what did Jesus say when left his disciples?

Matthew 28:20 (NIV)

And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Even as he asends in to heaven, promises that its better for us that he isnt physcuially present, that we might enjoy his spiritual presence by sending his Spirit to dwell in each and every believer. (John 16)

Hebrews 13:5-6 “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?””

Same God who made promises to Abraham, and to Moses, is with his people on edge of promised land. He hasn’t changed. He is with us.

Growing up I used to be afraid of dark, but not just dark, it was being in house on my own. Hear every noise. If I had a nightmare I’d pick up my duvet and shuffle to mum and dads room, and make myself a bed on the floor. Why because when I was with them I felt safe. That if anything happened, they were there. that monsters couldnt get me.

Where do we find courage and strength to keep living Christian life in face of trials, and even opposition. By knowing this that God will never leave us. He is our strength and courage. His Spirit dwelling in us. the great I AM is with us wherever we go. If God is for us who can stand against us.

At heart of our pasasge is this eternal truth. Verse that applies to life of every Christian.

Joshua 1:9 NIV

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

under this truth there is a second, really an implication. If God is with you, he will also lead you.

Be strong and courageous: The Lord will lead you

Joshua 1:2 (NIV)

“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.

Joshua 1:6 NIV

Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

What does God do for his people in face of uncertainty, with this young generation in the desert. He provides a leader to lead them, as God leads him. Vital for people. How were they to keep going, and to be united, and focused unless someone would lead them, someone appointed by God just as Moses was. Someone who God used as his mouth piece. Joshua had been equipped by God under Moses. - right man for the job - it was Joshua that had gone up the mountain with Moses to meet with God and been his right hand man, his assistant.

ANd people recognise his authority as appointed by God to bring forward God’s promises.

Joshua 1:16–18 NIV

Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

Read bible careful in asking question who are we in the text. Here is Joshua, we are not Joshua spiritual leader of all God’s people. We are those under him. People of Israel. Like those people we need a leader. In person of Jesus that is what God provided. Perfect leader. The King of the universe. He leads not just by example by provision. He has completed the journey. He has already experienced the wildness, the trials and opposition - even to death on the Cross, and has defeated Satan and death.

He has walked our road into Glory. And is now with us by his Spirit to lead us along. He needs no encouragement, but simply calls us to submit to his leading and trust him for the journey.By keeping in step with his Spirit.

We all face uncertainty. Who knows what 2022 will bring. But we have a sure and certain Saviour and Lord. He has gone before us and has good plans for us. Through the trials and uncertainties - what are we to do - keeping looking to our perfect leader - King Jesus. The one who fulfils all of God’s promises for benefit of his people. When we don’t have the asnwer we are to keep looking to the one who does.

How can we be strong and courageous. By holding on to God’s promises and presence. he is with us and he will lead us green pastures and quiet waters. He will gives us all we need to see us through. So then what will strong and courageous life look like?

Be strong and courageous: In faith and obedience

Joshua 1:7–8 NIV

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

What does courageous Christian life look like? Faith fueled Spirit led obedience to word of God.

Here is God about to do fulfil his promises to OT people. About to take the across Jordan river and give them vicory after victory over their enemies. What are they to do? What is to be their highest priority. Not build boats or weapons. Not train in warfare. bible study. To know their God - to cling to his promises and trust in his power, and respond in obedience to his word.

What will give them assurance of success. What will keep them from giving up. It’s as they continually and increasingly know thier God and his ways. As they learn to trust him in everything. They don’t need to know exactly where they are going, or exactly what they will be doing or exactly how it will be done. They just need to know God, and obey his word.

Right at heart of this passage. A passage all about strength and courage. As God calls his people into action to take on the world. Right at the heart of this adventure, is a quiet committed obedience to dwell in God’s presence and obey his word.

Youth group on trip to gains. Planned activities. Listen and enjoy.

Formula for success of God’s people in adventure about to go on. Obedience. Not about how we are saved - they are already God’s people who he has called and rescued. But how are they to enjoy the best that God has to offer - by obedience to him. And what is the formula for obedience. v7 Centrality of God’s word.

They are to talk about it v8, meditate on it, be careful with it. Why because its how they can know who God is and excercie their trust in him. This call to strength and courage is a call to trust and obedience. Joshua starts and ends with this call.

Joshua 22:5 “But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.””

Joshua 23:6 ““Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left.”

How will Joshua and the people know God’s presence and power - as they learn to depend on him completely. As they remember who he is and what he has done, and as they do what he asks of them.

Brothers and sisters, do we want to know God’s presnece? Do we want to know his promises for us? Do we want to live a Christian life that is strong and courageous? Experience the adventure of what God has in store for us? Do we want to know his calling on our lives and live them out?

It’s start here. As we dwell in God’s presence and in his word. As we have it on our lips - reminding each other who our great God is, what he has done. As we medidate on it, rejoicing in our salvation, reflecting on his goodness, listening to his voice. As we are careful with it, letting God set the agenda. I wonder if you have made a new years resolution this year? Can I suggest one, its not too late to start. Spend more time in this. Spend more time with him. Enjoy his presence, and know purposes, and experience his power, and you listen to his voice, and follow his lead.

Illustration - jigaw puzzle, more time we spend looking at pieces studying them, allow us to put together to see beatiful picture.

God is like infinte jigsaw puzzle, as we study each aspect of his, and picture comes togerher discer beauty like no other that uttlery captivates us. OR like picture with lots of detail - more study more appreciate intricacy and beaty. More we know it and want to look at it.

Make it your greatest desire this year to spend more time with God in his word and in prayer. What will it look like to be strong and courageous this year? It will look like obedience in face of temptation, trust in the face of uncertainty, resolve to follow Jesus in the face of opposition, soul’s peace in face of anxiety, and a deep joy in face of tragedy. Why? Because whatever this year brings, we can know for certain that God is with us, by His Spirit, and that he will lead all they way. So let’s spend more time in this. And let’s dwell in Him, as he does in us.