Confidence With Courage Joshua 1

The Commission – Joshua 1: Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2. “Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

The Commission – Joshua 1: “Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses. 4. “From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory. 5. “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

40 Years Earlier… “We went in to the land where you sent us; and it certainly does flow with milk and honey… “Nevertheless, the people who live in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large…We are not able to go up against the people, for they are too strong for us!.. It is a land that devours its inhabitants!” Numbers 13:27ff

NOW… (Josh.1:6-10) 6 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. 8 “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. 9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

40 Years Earlier… (Num. 11:4-15) Then the foreign rabble who were traveling with the Israelites began to crave the good things of Egypt, and the people of Israel also began to complain. “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!” The manna looked like small coriander seeds, pale yellow in color… tasted like they had been cooked in olive oil. The manna came down on the camp with the dew during the night… “Moses heard all the families standing in front of their tents weeping…” Numbers 11:10a

40 Years Earlier… (Num. 11:4-15) … Moses was also very aggravated. And Moses said to the Lord, "Why are you treating me, your servant, so miserably? What did I do to deserve the burden of a people like this? Are they my children? Am I their father? Is that why you have told me to carry them in my arms—like a nurse carries a baby—to the land you swore to give their ancestors? Where am I supposed to get meat for all these people? They keep complaining and saying, 'Give us meat!' I can't carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!” If this is how you are going to treat me, put me to death right now--if I have found favor in your eyes--and do not let me face my own ruin." Numbers 11:15

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises … No one will be able to stand up 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. Joshua 1:4-5

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership “Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river…”

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership Today’s Commission Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me! Therefore GO and make disciples of all nations…” Matthew 28:18-20 With Formidable Opposition! For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms. Ephes. 6:12

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership Today’s Promises… …greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world. 1 John 4:4 Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never fail you. “I will never fail you. I will never forsake you.” I will never forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) Hebrews 13:5 (NLT) Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership 3. Feeding on His Word “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.” Joshua 1:8

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership 3. Feeding on His Word Talk about it, study it, teach it! Talk about it, study it, teach it! Apply it! Live it! Apply it! Live it! “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth…meditate on it day and night…” Joshua 1:8 “…be careful to DO according to all that is written in it…”

Lessons in Courage! 1. Trusting in God’s Promises 2. Choosing God’s Leadership 3. Feeding on His Word 4. Depend on Him “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 “… And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

Lessons in Courage 40 Years Ago Courage Is NOT: Courage Is NOT:  Idealism  Lunging  Wallowing in Confusion  Easily Dismayed, Fearful  Whiners! Ungrateful!  Weakness and Cowardice  Self-Protection  Living in Failure! Joshua’s People.. Courage IS:  Enlightened Conviction  Sure-Footedness, Stability  Action  Contagious Optimism  Gratitude  Aggression  Willing to Sacrifice  Victorious Living!

Lessons in Courage! Trusting in God’s Promises Trusting in God’s Promises Accepting God’s Leadership Accepting God’s Leadership … No one will be able to stand up 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. Joshua 1:4-5

Lessons in Courage! Trusting in God’s Promises Trusting in God’s Promises Accepting God’s Leadership Accepting God’s Leadership

Lessons in Courage

What Is Courage? Aggression Aggression Sure-Footedness, Stability Sure-Footedness, Stability Enlightened Conviction Enlightened Conviction  “I know what I’m doing…”  “I know where I’m headed…” Contagious Optimism Contagious Optimism  “Whatever is good…pure…” Action Action  “Whatever is good…” Willing to Sacrifice Willing to Sacrifice Victorious Living! Victorious Living!