11. Joshua: Divine Initiative, Human Response

Introduction

Bill, a former alcoholic. God delivered him from alcohol addiction, but he still wrestled with the temptation to drink. God gave him the victory—the war was won. But he still had to fight all the battles.

“An important tension in the book of Joshua is that although God is giving the land to Israel, Israel must also claim it. To use a rather simple analogy, just as we know that a Christmas present addressed to us is ours while it is under the tree, but it only truly becomes ours when we open the package, so also throughout Joshua the land is something that God is giving to Israel, but it is only fully theirs when they have taken it… The same, of course, is true of the gospel message, where life and forgiveness in Jesus are both something that God is giving to us and something that we have to accept if the gift is to become real in our experience.” ~ Dr. David G. Firth

Subject: What is God’s promise? What is our response?

Scripture: Joshua 1:1-9 (ESV)

Body

God’s Promise

I am with you. I will never leave you. (Josh 1:5, 9)

It’s not your abilities but God’s presence that makes the difference (Josh 1:5).

God never calls you to do something without his help (Josh 1:9).

You find what you look for in life… Are you looking for God?

I will give you success. You will prosper. (Josh 1:2-5, 8)

What is success or prospering? Does the Bible teach that if you have faith anything can be yours? See Matthew 21:22.

If we get this wrong, we may be deceived into thinking that God didn’t keep a promise that he never actually made.

God promised to give success and to prosper us. So what does that mean?

Success/prospering = fulfilling God’s purpose for you (not God’s purpose for someone else, e.g., great wealth).

God told Joshua he would give the Israelites every place that they walked (Josh 1:3). And then, he told them where to walk (Josh 1:4).

God is saying, “As long as you stay within the boundaries of my will, anything is possible! You will succeed in the purpose that I have set for you.”

This is the backdrop for how we correctly understand Matthew 21:22. As long as we are within the boundaries of God’s will and purpose for our lives, anything we ask will be given, if we have faith.

Our Response

Be strong and courageous. Be stouthearted. (Josh 1:6-7, 9)

What is courage?

Courage is not the absence of fear but the strength to persevere despite fear.

I used to tell the boys, “Don’t ask God to empty you of fear. Ask God to fill you with courage.”

Where does courage come from?

Courage comes from God’s promises (Josh 1:2-5), God’s presence (Josh 1:5, 9), God’s people (Josh 1:2), and God’s Word (Josh 1:7-8).

I am tired of living in fear! “The sky is falling” should be the slogan of EVERY SINGLE MEDIA SOURCE IN THE WORLD TODAY!

On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand

Learn and live by God’s Word. Know and obey Scripture. (Josh 1:7-8)

Prospering is a result, not a reward. It’s fruit, not a bonus. It is the natural consequence of walking with God.

Exercising produces fitness. Obedience to God produces prospering (which is fulfilling God’s purpose for you).

Obedience >> Prospering (fulfilling God’s purpose) >> Happiness

Don’t walk alone. Follow God together.

“meditate” (Josh 1:8) means “murmur”

“The implication would seem to be that meditation was not a fundamentally private action–like someone having a quiet time–but rather a corporate act” ~ Bible Speaks Today OT Commentary

Conclusion

God has already given us victory in Jesus (John 19:30). But we need to receive it and walk in it (like a membership to the gym, but we still need to go exercise).