Joshua 1:6-9 #J3 Joshua Series May 27, 2012 A Sermon With a Memorial Day Twist

 Joshua’s confidence was strengthened through:  The Promise of God’s Presence (5) (Last Week)  The Enablement of God’s Encouragement (6-9)  In Josh. 1:6-9 the command to be strong (firm) and courageous appears 3 times.  It is obvious that Jehovah desired to encourage Joshua for his new and challenging ministry.  Let God strengthen or encourage you today.  Divine Encouragement produces three results in our lives.

 Joshua 1:6 "Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

I. IT INSPIRES US TO OPERATE IN DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES (VS. 6)  The Pilot- director  You shall cause to inherit- leadership is causal  The Plan- direction  Apportion the land for an inheritance  (Ps. 16:5, 6) - took on a Spiritual Sense  The Problem – distress  The plan would NOT be easy.  The pilot needed encouragement. What’s your stress level?

Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year I944 ! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of I940-4I. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned ! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory ! I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory ! Good Luck ! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. SUPREME HEADQUATERS ALLIED EXPEDITIONARY FORCES D-Day Letter by General Dwight Eisenhower

 Joshua 1:7-8 7 "Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 "This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

II. IT INSTRUCTS US TO OBEY GOD’S PRECIOUS WORD. (VS. 7, 8)  Purpose  to be careful to do according to all the law which Moses charged you.  Prohibition  Do not turn – no wavering!  Promise  reward- that you may prosper (literally- act wisely)  Scripture brings wisdom for life - seeking God and letting thoughts and self be governed by God. That’s true prosperity! (Ps. 2:10; 14:2; 119:99; Prov. 1:3; 10:5; 14:35)  Particulars  Don’t let it depart from your mouth- This negative makes a strong positive  Meditate therein day and night - a barely audible murmur.  THAT you may be careful to do- speaking and thinking generate doing  THEN  Make your way prosperous - achieve your goals. From “to penetrate” to cleave a way for one’s progress to split open.  Have good success- act w/ understanding, insight, discernment.

Old War-Time Bibles Many were simply kept in a shirt pocket as a good- luck charm – to deflect or “bend” a bullet path – and were UNREAD. A metal covered Bible

 Joshua 1:9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

III. IT INFLUENCES US TO OVERCOME PARALYZING FEAR (VS. 9)  The Rhetorical Question – of course He has!  The Real Command  Be strong (power)  confidence- action w/strength or firmness  Be courageous (presence of mind)  courage- reaction w/ fearlessness- faith  The “Rude” Opposite…  Be not afraid- fearful- trembling (volcano)  Be not dismayed- fainting - terrified  Encouragement gives us calmness!

In an uncertain world how can fear be dispelled?

 Let God strengthen or encourage you today.  Divine Encouragement produces three results in our lives.  I. It Inspires Us to Operate In Difficult Circumstances (vs. 6)  II. It Instructs Us to Obey God’s Precious Word. (vs. 7, 8)  III. It Influences Us to Overcome Paralyzing Fear (vs. 9)