Overcomer

Joshua 1:6–8 KJV 1900

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

If we were to use just one word to describe Western Christians, it would not be the word courage-ous. Rather, it might be the word comfortable.

Too often, we value comfort above courage. As a result, we live anemic Christian lives—without ever experiencing the potential of all that God has planned for us.

Courageous Christian living is not a life that knows no fear.

Quote: "Courage is not the absence of fear, but ignoring one's fear to do what is needed and what is right."

Courageous Christian living is choosing to live with faith in God in spite of fear. It is choosing to fulfill God's calling on our lives in His strength.

Quote: "Godly courage is ignoring the fear of failure when attempting great things for God."

Throughout Scripture God has shown us that He delights in blessing, not a large crowd or an organized group, but those who courageously depend on Him.

Think of Gideon. He was facing an army of 135,000 warriors with just 10,000 Israeli men.

And God told him to make the army even smaller.

Judges 7:4

And the Lord said unto Gideon, The people are yet too many; bring them down unto the water, and I will try them for thee there: and it shall be, that of whom I say unto thee, This shall go with thee, the same shall go with thee; and of whomsoever I say unto thee, This shall not go with thee, the same shall not go.

After the army was narrowed further, there remained just three hundred soldiers with Gideon.

But he courageously led them into battle, following God's specific instructions, and those three hundred men defeated the full Midianite army.

Think of David. He was a seventeen-year-old shepherd sent to bring food to his brothers who were fighting the Philistines. But when he arrived, he saw Goliath taunt Israel and nobody stopped him.

So David, full of godly courage, stepped up.

1 Samuel 17:45-46

Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied. 46 This day will the LorD deliver thee into mine hand...

There are times when all of us need the courage that comes from God.

Our need for courage is not only limited to immediate threats that bring fear to our hearts. Courage is also required to live out God's calling on our lives in a way that honors Him.

The Old Testament character, Joshua, embodied the kind of courage we need in our lives today— both in a situation and in a calling that required courage.

As we come to our text verses in Joshua 1, the year was approximately 1405 BC. God's people were assembled east of the Jordan River, not far from Mount Nebo where Moses had recently died.

This was a pivotal time in Israel's history. Moses, the servant of the Lord was dead, and the Israelites now had a choice. They could rebel and go back to idolatry, or they could courageously pursue God's promises and conquer the Promised Land.

~ Slide

Mount Nebo

It was in this moment of history that Joshua also had a choice. Joshua had been placed in the role of leader of the nation of Israel just as they were launching into a massive invasion and were facing battles against larger armies, cities with high walls, and even war with giants. He knew that the Israelites would compare his leadership to Moses', whose position he had just assumed.

Furthermore, Joshua could see the flooded Jordan River in front of them and wasn't sure how the Israelites would even be able to get across into the Promised Land.

But as God chose Joshua there was one characteristic He wanted to see in Joshua. In fact, our text passage mentions it four times. That characteristic was courage.

God also calls us to live a courageous Christian life with a heart of trust in the Lord. And in today's study we will see three ways that courage comes into our lives.

Courage comes when we:

Trust God's Promises

Trust God's Presence

Trust God's Precepts

Let's learn what each of these mean as we study

God's instructions to Joshua.

1. Trust God's Promises

Perhaps you've heard the statement:

Quote: "With God's calling comes God's enabling."

It's true. And we see this principle at work in the life of Joshua.

But how does God provide this enabling? He enables us through the promises of His Word. When it comes to courage, God's Word is everything.

A. God's Promises to Joshua

Joshua was not leading the people into some random place where they would arrive by accident.

He was right where God meant for him to be even though there were great battles and obstacles.

We often refer to the land of Canaan as the Promised Land. That is because hundreds of years before, God had made a promise to Abraham that his descendants would live in that place.

Genesis 13:15-17

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever. 16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

It's important to note that even though God had promised the land of Canaan to the nation of Israel, they were responsible to take action and claim that promise. They were to physically enter the land and conquer the nations that were there.

Of course, they could only do this with God's help.

But even God's help could not make them take ac-tion. That would have to be their choice.

Joshua 1:3

Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.

God had promised, but their feet had to go in to take it.

As it was, the nation of Israel, at its peak, only occupied about 10 percent of the land God promised to Abraham.

In a similar way, we, too, often fail to receive all that God has promised to us-not because the promise is unreliable, but because we do not take action and claim it.

True faith will result in action. This is what James says about saving faith. If a person has genuinely trusted Christ as his Savior, the result will be evident in his actions.

James 2:18

Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

This is an important lesson for Christians who desire to live with courage. Courage will ultimately come from our walk with God, but it will result in us taking action.

Quote: "Leadership begins with being, but it ultimately results in doing."

Courageous Christian living requires courageous action.

There is a story told of a wealthy woman from New York who was touring the West and finally arrived in Santa Fe. As she explored the area, she noticed an elderly Native American man wearing a striking necklace made from impressive-looking teeth. Curious, she approached him and asked, "What are those?"

"These are grizzly bear teeth, madam," he replied.

Intrigued, she nodded. "I see. And I suppose they hold great value for your people, much like pearls do for us?"

"Not exactly," he answered. "Anybody can open an oyster."

Quote: "God is looking for those with whom He can do the impossible-what a pity that we plan only the things that we can do by ourselves."

—A.W. Tozer!

God's promises to Joshua were the basis for his courageous actions. God has made promises to us as well.

God's Promises to Joshua

God's Promises to Us

Every promise God has given us is faithful and true.

God has not promised us land or victories in military battles as He did for Joshua and the children of Israel. But He has given us promises in His Word. What are some of these promises?

1. HIS POWER

Suggestion

Share one of your favorite Bible promises and share how claiming that promise made a difference in your life. Invite group members to share a promise and a personal story as well.

The Hebrew name for God, El Shaddai, is translated "God Almighty" in English. This is not just a figure of speech. God has all power and is able to do whatever needs to be done to accomplish His purpose.

Everything that we do for God is only possible because of His power being made available to us.

In the Great Commission, Jesus told His followers

—the disciples and us—that it is because of His power that we are commanded and enabled to reach the world with the gospel.

Matthew 28:18-19

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them

in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

It is God who gives us power in witnessing. And it is God who gives power in building His church as well.

Matthew 16:18

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I heard about a man who bragged that he had cut off the tail of a man-eating lion, armed with nothing more than his pocket knife. Asked why he hadn't cut off the lion's head, the man replied: "Someone had already done that."

Because it is God's power that builds His church, there is no room for boasting.

In addition to His power, God promises His provision.

2. HIS PROVISION

Nothing that we need presents a challenge to the resources of God. He owns everything and is able to supply any and every need that we have.

When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi from his prison cell in Rome to thank them for the gift they sent to support him and his ministry, he reminded them of God's promised provision.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

The Christian is never without help or hope. We have the incredible promises of God. But even bet-ter, we have the God of those promises. And among His promises is the assurance that His presence will go with us.

Discussion

What keeps us from remembering or trusting the promises of God?

Trust God's Promises

Trust God's Presence

A Slide 2

As Joshua faced the tremendous task of conquering Canaan, he needed a fresh word of encourage-ment. God gave that to him in the promise of His presence.

Joshua 1:5

There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The promise of the presence of God means that we are never alone. We do not need to fear that we will ever be outside His love and care. He is always with us, wherever we go.

The greatest blessing God gives us is not posses-sions; it is His presence.

When we are walking closely with God, we can be victorious in the daily battles of life. This is not because we are so great, but because He is. He never lets His children down or leaves them abandoned.

A. His Presence Is Protective

• Slide 2A

The fact that God never leaves us is a source of protection.

When a United States president travels to a foreign country, he does not go alone. The Secret Service sends a protective detail to ensure that anyone who might wish to attack can be thwarted.

God is always with us, and His very presence is a refuge to us.

Proverbs 18:10

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

This world is not a friend to Bible-believing Christians.

A recent poll revealed that more than one in six Americans (17 percent) have unfollowed, unfriended, blocked or changed their settings to see less of someone on social media because of religious content the person posted or shared.2

If we are standing up against the world alone, we'll lose our courage. But when we trust in God's pres-ence, it fills us with courage.

Joshua had seen Moses' dependence on God's presence. When God offered Moses every promise would be fulfilled, except it would be without God's presence with him, Moses said he didn't want any of it without God.

Exodus 33:15

And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.

And now, Joshua is recognizing that he, too, is utterly dependent upon God's presence.

There were seven nations of Canaan that had to be defeated, but God promised Joshua complete vic-tory. No one would be able to defeat them for God's power and presence would be with them.

We, too, face challenging needs. And we, too, can find victory in the presence of Christ.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribu-lation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

1 John 5:4-5

For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

His Presence Is Protective

His Presence Gives Courage

^ Slide 2B

When we face the trials and challenges of life, we will find times when we do not see a solution to our problem.

It is not uncommon to be afraid that things will not work out or that we will not be able to do what needs to be done. We must not let those fears deter us from doing what is right.

Quote: "Courage is not the absence of fear but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear." —Franklin D. Roosevelt

The knowledge that God is always with us gives us the strength to keep going even when the challenge we are facing seems to be impossible.

A little boy was afraid of the dark and storms. One night, during a thunderstorm, his mother asked him to fetch the broom from the porch. When he tried to turn on the light, he found it was burnt out. Scared by the darkness and the storm, he ran back inside.

His mom assured him, "God is with you, even in the storm."

With his mom's assurance, the boy gathered his courage and approached the door. But as lightning flashed and thunder roared, he froze. Eyes wide, he called out, "God, if you're out there, could you please hand me the broom?"

God sent His own Son to Earth to rescue us from our sin. If the God who loves us this much and has all the power in the universe is on our side, who can stand against us?

Romans 8:31-32

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

On the days when our battles are the most difficult and we find ourselves in need of courage, we must look to God.

When Joshua was looking at the impossible challenge posed by the walls of Jericho, he had a dramatic encounter with a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. In this encounter God made two things clear. First, the very encounter assured Joshua of God's presence. Second, He told Joshua that God was not on Joshua's side; rather, it was the other way around.

Joshua 5:13-14

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries? 14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the Lord am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?

We, too, experience the power of God's presence in our lives when we surrender to Him.

God's most important promise to Joshua and to Israel was that He would be with them. No spiritual victory is possible without God's presence.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Quote: "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." —Unknown

William Tyndale (1494-1536) dedicated his life to translating the Bible into English—a task he worked on while constantly fleeing hostile authorities. After completing his translation of the New Testament, Tyndale worked to have it printed and smuggled into England where it was distributed to spiritually-hungry people. The British government, however, attempted to thwart Tyndale's work by finding, purchasing, and burning every copy they could.

Far from being discouraged, Tyndale realized this was an unexpected blessing as the proceeds from the government's sales funded an even better translation.

Tyndale continued his work until he was martyred in 1536. His efforts bore lasting fruit, as his translations were foundational for the King James Bible.

We will never face a situation that is outside of God's control or His ability to remain with us and to give us grace in it for victory.

Trust God's Promises

Trust God's Presence

Trust God's Precepts

Discussion

Where do people sometimes turn for help when they need encouragement and guidance if they are not looking to God's presence?

Slide 3

As God called Joshua to a life of courage, He pointed Joshua's attention to the precepts found in His Word.

Joshua 1:7

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

In order to guide us correctly through life and give us the strength and courage to walk in His ways, God has given us His Word. It is perfect and unfailing, and it is reliable in everything it says. Every promise can be believed and acted on with full confidence.

Satan tries to undermine our confidence in the Word of God, just as he did with Eve in the Garden of Eden. We must not let him succeed. Instead we must center our hearts and minds on the Scriptures.

Sir Walter Scott was one of the best-selling authors of the nineteenth century. His tales of chivalry inspired millions of readers, and many of his books remain in print to this day. In addition to being a writer, Scott was an avid reader. His library was filled with books from around the world. When Scott reached the end of his life he told his son-in-law, "Bring me the Book." Looking at the shelves filled with books, the younger man asked, "What book?" The elderly author replied, "There is but one Book. Read to me out of the Bible."4

A. His Precepts Must Not Be Compromised

Slide 3A

There is enormous pressure being placed on Christians in our day to adjust doctrine in order to fit in and be accepted by the world around us. Every time we deviate from what God said, we make a mistake.

But here in Joshua 1, God specifically told Joshua, “turn not from it [the written law of God] to the right hand or to the left" (verse 7).

This is a repeat warning of what Moses had told the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 5:32 KJV 1900

32 Ye shall observe to do therefore as the Lord your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

Society may change. Culture may change. Even churches and people who profess to be Christians may change, but God never changes. What was wrong yesterday is wrong today and will still be wrong tomorrow. What was right yesterday is right today and will still be right tomorrow. There is no room for compromise on the truth.

Sadly, careless churches today are adopting an accommodating theology, changing their doctrine and practice to fit in with a culture that rejects truth.

We must be Christians who take a courageous stand for truth because we trust in God's precepts.

When you think about it, Joshua's primary duty, as given to him by God in Joshua 1, was not military, but spiritual. Without obedience to the law of God, Joshua and the Israelites would not experience military success.

Similarly, our primary responsibility as Christians is to walk with God, immersing ourselves in His Word. He is the only one who can give spiritual victories in our lives.

2 Timothy 2:15-16

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.

His Precepts Must Not Be Compromised

His Precepts Must Be Observed

How will we trust in God's promises, live in His presence, and hold fast to His commands? We will do it the same way Joshua would —through biblical meditation.

Joshua 1:8

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Meditation is commonly used today to refer to a practice of emptying one's mind. But the biblical meaning of meditation is to focus our minds. This means that when God instructed Joshua to meditate in Scripture day and night, He was telling Joshua that His Word was never to be out of his mind. Joshua was to think on it and hold it in his heart, that he might obey it as opportunities arose.

1. THE PURPOSE OF MEDITATION

When we meditate on what God has said, we are filling our minds with His truth.

In a world of uncertainty, the Bible is stable. If we only hear it on Sundays, it will not be hidden in our hearts. But if we read the Word and think about what God said on a daily basis, our lives will be changed. Our attitudes and actions are guided by whatever we spend the most time thinking about.

We cannot expect to fill our minds with the things of the world and have our behavior reflect the holiness of Jesus Christ.

The first step toward keeping God's Word-living in obedience to it and receiving the promised reward for doing so-is meditation.

Psalm 19:11

Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

2. THE PROCESS OF MEDITATION

Meditating on God's Word allows us to obey God's Word

One of the most useful illustrations is the way a cow processes food. When a cow grazes in a field, it takes grass or hay or whatever food is there into its stomach (cows have one stomach with four separate com-partments, not four stomachs as is sometimes said).

But it does not digest it immediately. Instead it brings it back up and chews it again-chewing the cud we call it. This process of chewing on the food again and again makes sure the cow gets full nutritional value from what it eats.

There are three main applications of what it means to meditate on the Word of God.

To keep: this is the idea of having been given something of value to guard and protect. God's Word truly is a treasure. We are to guard and protect it from compromise.

To retain: this is the idea of storing up something we treasure, like a precious memory we will constantly remember again and again. This would involve memorizing Scripture so it is available for recall.

To observe: this is the idea of celebrating (such as observing a holiday) or performing (such as a vow). This involves obedience to Scripture.

The process of meditation begins when we put God's Word into our hearts and minds-reading, hearing, studying and memorizing the Scriptures.

It continues as we think about what we have learned throughout the day and night, keeping it at the forefront of our thoughts. It concludes as we put into practice what God has said.

So courageous Christian living flows out of a Christian's vibrant, intimate relationship with God. Developing that relationship takes place through absorbing God's Word —making it a part of our everyday lives, so that it is never far from our thoughts.

Quote: "The most important thing I had to do was to read the Word of God and to meditate on it. Thus, my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, re-proved, and instructed." —George Müller

Colossians 3:16 KJV 1900

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

How does the practice of meditation deepen our commitment to doing what God says?

CONCLUSION

God promised Joshua that faithful and consistent meditation would make his life successful.

Joshua 1:8

... for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

The same is true for us.

We can enter this coming week—or season of our lives—with fear or with courage. We can prioritize comfort, or we can courageously live out the calling God has placed in our lives as disciples of Christ.

To live with courage, we must:

Trust God's promises: He assures us of His power and His provision.

Trust God's presence: He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Trust God's precepts: His Word is reliable, and meditating on and obeying it will transform our lives.

NOW WHEN THEY SAW THE BOLDNESS OF PETER AND JOHN, AND PERCEIVED THAT THEY WERE UNLEARNED AND IGNORANT MEN, THEY MARVELLED; AND THEY TOOK KNOWLEDGE OF THEM, THAT THEY HAD BEEN WITH JESUS. (ACTS 4:13)