As a believer, do you realize that you are - in a spiritual sense - a "Joshua"?
You are called to "be strong" to "fight the Lord's battles" - while "exercising faith in the Divine promises."
In this Bible message, we would like to look at Joshua's beginnings, struggles, and fears, and see what particular lesson we can glean from our study.
The book of Joshua opens with these words - "Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying, Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel." (Joshua 1:1-2)
"Moses, My servant is dead..."
Joshua knew full well that Moses was dead. Why did God have to remind him of it?
God wanted to relay a message to Joshua at this time. He wanted to let Joshua know that His plans were not dependent on men. He wanted to let Joshua know that there is no halting in His purposes - that there is no standstill in His kingdom. He also wanted Joshua to know that Moses the servant was dead, but He the Master was not.
Moses' death did not come as a surprise to Joshua or the children of Israel. In Deuteronomy 31:1-3, he revealed God's plan at this time - "And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. The LORD thy God, He will go over before thee, and He will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, He shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said."
Notice how Moses turned the focus of the children of Israel from himself onto the LORD - "The LORD thy God, He will go over before thee, and He will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them."
This is the way it should always be! Though God uses men, it is He Who is the "driving force" behind the work. And though certain men are removed (through death or by other means), the work should not be halted or hindered in any way - for God is still at work.
Since he was going to die, and there was so much more work to be done, Moses exhorted the children of Israel with these words - "And the LORD shall do unto them as He did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom He destroyed. And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (Deuteronomy 31:4-6)
Please note how many times Moses referred to the LORD and how many times he referred to himself in this message of exhortation -
"And the LORD shall do unto them as He did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom He destroyed."
"And the LORD shall give them up before your face..."
"...for the LORD thy God , He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
He referred to himself only one time in saying - "...that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you."
Then, Moses went on to exhort Joshua as their new leader with these words - "And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He it is That doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)
Here again, Moses directs the focus onto the LORD - only in this case relating to Joshua - "And the LORD, He it is That doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee."
Notice that Moses assured both the children of Israel and Joshua of God's promise of His presence with similar words -
"...for the LORD thy God , He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." (addressed to the children of Israel)
"And the LORD, He it is That doth go before thee; He will be with thee, He will not fail thee, neither forsake thee." (addressed to Joshua)
In a sense, Moses was saying to both (the children of Israel and Joshua) that God's promise of His presence was enough - in fact, it was more than enough to help them face their future foes and fears.
Knowing that they would have the promise of God's presence, Moses was exhorting them to - "be strong and of a good courage." They were to stand firm in the faith - while trusting and relying on God Who was going before them. Though they were going forth to meet opposing forces, terrible foes, and unknown dangers...and though their enemies would be numerous, mighty, and gigantic and the cities strong and well fenced - they had nothing to fear - for they had the power of God engaged for them.
God promised them that He would go before them ...He would be with them ...and He would not fail nor forsake them.
In God's estimation, that was enough for them! The promise of His presence would be enough to carry them into their future - even though "Moses" (as Great a Leader as he was) would not be going with them!
"Moses My servant is dead..."
In a sense, God was saying - especially to Joshua - "Let this sink in! You can no longer hold on to Moses! You can no longer depend on Him. You can no longer look to him for strength. He is gone!"
Yes, Joshua's circumstances had changed drastically. Yet, God was saying to Him - "fear not, neither be dismayed!" In other words, "Do not be alarmed, disheartened, nor disillusioned about your future - at the number and strength of the enemy nor the difficulties that might lie in your way of finishing so great an undertaking. Yes, 'Moses My servant is dead...' But, I am here! 'As I was with Moses, so will I be with you.' 'Now, therefore, arise'!"
Then, God spoke repeatedly to Joshua the following exhortations -
"Be strong and of a good courage...Only be thou strong and very courageous...Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." (Joshua 1:6,7, & 9)
The LORD was making it plain and clear to Joshua that his source of strength and courage was not Moses. The secret of his strength would be the promise of God's presence.
The Family Bible Notes said this - "With the presence and favor of God, men may safely and properly undertake any service, however, difficult, dangerous, or trying, to which He calls them."
Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible added this comment - "Have not I commanded thee; I Whom thou art obliged to obey; I Who can carry thee through everything I put thee upon; I of Whose faithfulness and almightiness thou hast had large experience?"
"Moses My servant is dead..."
As a "Joshua" - a believer in Christ - you may be facing fear, discouragement, or even disillusionment concerning the future because that on which you relied is now gone.
However, through this message, God is saying to you that, although your circumstances have changed, He did not change. His plans for your life were never dependent on men. You must realize that there is no halting in His purposes nor any standstill in His kingdom.
Hence, He is saying to you today - "...now therefore arise..."
It is time to -"arise."
His plans and purposes for your life have not changed. You can do whatever He is requiring of you because you have the promise of His presence.
Ahead of you, there is great work to be done.
The question remains - how convinced are you that the promise of God's presence is enough - more than enough?
May God Bless His Word,
Connie
No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. (Isaiah 54:17)
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