Joshua 1:1-9 “Sunday School – Revisited” Series Secret of Success Joshua 1:1-9 “Sunday School – Revisited” Series

Introduction Neophobia An irrational fear of anything new, of innovation, of new situations, places, or things. “Sometimes the Lord calms the storm. Sometimes He lets the storm rage and calms His child.” – Unknown source My assurance is to be built upon God’s assurance to me. God says, “I will never leave you,” so that then I “may boldly say, ’The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6 ). – Oswalt Chambers “My Utmost for His Highest”

Joshua 1:1-9 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 Great Sea on the west. 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 1:1-9 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers 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. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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 terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Be Strong & Courageous Faced with new responsibilities, Joshua is confronted by the LORD: a) Moses is dead b) Joshua must lead the people This could be rather intimidating “If I had my whole life to live over again, I don't think I'd have the strength.” - Flip Wilson Three times Joshua hears these words: 1. “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead.” vs. 6 2. “Be strong and very courageous.” vs. 7 3. “Be strong and courageous.” vs.9

Be Strong & Courageous Joshua must have quaked at the prospect of taking over from a great man like Moses. God repeated these words for Joshua to receive assurance: 1. God was there 2. Joshua had nothing to fear. In His assurance, God gave Joshua, and us, two keys to live in a world that can frighten us: 1) Himself 2) His Word

God’s Presence Is With You In His discourse, God promises to be there with Joshua: “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 1:5 The promises God here makes to Joshua for his encouragement. (1.) That he should be sure of the presence of God with him in this great work to which he was called  - We carry the presence of God in our hearts – Holy Spirit (2.) That the presence of God should never be withdrawn from him - He is with us always (Matthew 28:19-20) (3.) That he should have victory over all the enemies of Israel  - We are told that our enemies cannot stand against us (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Corinthians 10:1-6)

The Word Is Your Guide Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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. – Joshua 1:8 “Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth” - Though there was a copy of the law laid up in the sanctuary, yet this was not sufficient. Joshua must have a copy for himself. (Adam Clarke’s Commentary) - All he would say/do as leader was governed by the Word of God “Meditate on it day and night” - He is charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it. - In depth Bible Study

The Word Is Your Guide “All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God. Joshua must himself be under command; no man’s dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God. He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it.” – Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Conclusion God has not called me to be successful; he has called me to be faithful. - Mother Teresa of Calcutta The key to success was not found in what Joshua would do, but in the One in whom he placed his trust. Fear had not place in the life of Joshua, and nor shall it us Christ’s followers, for we, too, carry the promise: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9