A New Season, Same Savior

Joshua 1:1–9 Big Idea: God moves men into the positions He wants them to be to fulfill His plans and purposes, and as such, we should faithfully follow and trust Him.

INTRODUCTION: WHEN GOD MOVES HIS PEOPLE

Every generation of God’s people faces moments of transition—times when one chapter closes and another begins. Those moments are often filled with both anticipation and uncertainty. But for those who belong to the Lord, one thing never changes: His faithfulness.

Joshua 1 begins at a major turning point in Israel’s history. Moses—the servant of the Lord, the man through whom God had delivered His people from Egypt, given the Law, and led them through forty years in the wilderness—was gone.

And now, it was Joshua’s time to lead.

Let’s look together at what God says to His new servant in Joshua 1:1–9.

(Read passage slowly.)

I. THE CLOSING OF ONE CHAPTER (vv. 1–2)

“After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel.’”

The book opens bluntly: “Moses my servant is dead.” Those are weighty words. For forty years, Moses had been the visible leader of God’s people—the one who spoke to God on their behalf. His leadership was unlike any other. Deuteronomy 34:10 says, “There has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.”

And yet, even a man like Moses had a closing chapter. His time was complete, and now God says, “Joshua, arise—it’s your turn.”

Joshua already knew this was coming. In Deuteronomy 31:3, Moses had told the nation, “The LORD your God himself will go over before you. Joshua will cross over before you, as the LORD promised.”

In other words, this transition wasn’t random. It wasn’t human. It was divine.

Here’s the first truth we learn: God moves men into the positions He wants them to be to fulfill His purposes.

When God says, “Moses my servant is dead,” He’s not announcing an ending; He’s marking a continuation of His plan. The mission wasn’t Moses’—it was God’s. The leader may change, but the Lord does not.

And this principle still stands: God is sovereign over every shift, every season, and every servant. He places people in the roles He chooses, for the times He ordains, to accomplish what only He can.

II. THE CERTAINTY OF GOD’S PROMISES (vv. 3–5)

“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses… No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.”

Now the Lord assures Joshua that every promise made to Moses is still certain. God reminds him that the land He promised—the same land Abraham was shown, the same land Moses looked upon from Mount Nebo—would indeed belong to His people.

Notice the confidence in God’s language: “Every place your foot treads I have given you.” It’s written in the past tense—God speaks of the future as though it’s already done.

That’s because when God promises something, it will happen. He does not speak empty words. He doesn’t make uncertain statements. He declares His will—and His word is as good as done.

He even outlines the borders of the land and then assures Joshua, “No man shall be able to stand before you.” Why? Because the Lord Himself would stand with him.

And that’s our assurance, too. We may not be Moses or Joshua, but we have the same Lord. We have His Word, His promises, and His Spirit dwelling within us. And when God stands with His people, no one can stand against them.

Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Whatever changes come, whatever transitions take place, God’s presence remains our strength. The same Lord who stood beside Moses and Joshua stands beside us today.

III. THE COMMAND TO BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS (vv. 6–9)

“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”

God repeats this charge three times: “Be strong and courageous.” Each time, He ties it to obedience and faith in His Word.

Joshua would face strong enemies, fortified cities, and unknown battles—but he was not to fear. Strength and courage didn’t come from self-confidence; they came from God’s command and God’s companionship.

Look at verse 7:

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you.”

God tells Joshua that victory is tied to obedience. If he would keep God’s Word central—if he would meditate on it day and night—then he would prosper and have success.

Joshua didn’t need new strategies; he needed old faithfulness. He didn’t need charisma; he needed conviction.

And neither do we.

We, too, have the Book of the Law—now fulfilled and expanded in the full revelation of Scripture. The Bible is our guide. It teaches us that Jesus is always with us and that no matter what changes in life, His promises remain true.

When we obey His Word and follow His leading, we find a kind of prosperity the world cannot give—a peace, a stability, a fruitfulness that only comes from walking with God.

And then comes the final reminder, verse 9:

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua needed that promise. He was stepping into a monumental task—leading a nation across the Jordan, into enemy territory, facing giants and armies. But the power wasn’t in his position—it was in God’s presence.

And the same promise stands for us: The Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

IV. OUR APPLICATION: STANDING FIRM IN OUR SEASON

This passage isn’t just history—it’s theology applied to life.

Joshua’s call reminds every believer that God’s plans are never interrupted, only continued. He is always at work, always faithful, always accomplishing His purpose through His people.

That means that even when one season of life or ministry ends and another begins, God’s hand is still guiding the story.

We can be strong and courageous because the same Lord who called Moses and Joshua is the One who calls us to faith and obedience today.

When we faithfully follow Him—whether through certainty or uncertainty, stability or change—He brings blessing, not because of our ability, but because of His faithfulness.

And that truth is the heartbeat of this message: God moves men into the positions He wants them to be to fulfill His plans and purposes. Our job is not to control where He leads, but to trust Him as He does.

V. PERSONAL WORD OF APPLICATION

Church family, I want to share something personal in light of what we’ve just seen in this text.

Just as God moved Joshua into a new place of service, I believe He’s now moving me into a new work. After much prayer and seeking the Lord’s will, I believe God is calling me to plant a Cowboy Church in Archer County.

That’s not an announcement of departure—it’s a declaration of obedience. It’s not a goodbye—it’s simply another step of faith in God’s continuing mission.

I will be here for two more months to walk through this season of transition with you, to help ensure that everything here remains steady and strong. Because the Lord is not leaving this place. He’s not done with Western Trail Cowboy Church.

He is as present now as He was when this church began, and He will continue to be as long as His Word is preached and His people remain faithful.

So let’s hold to this truth:

“Be strong and courageous… for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

He’s with me. He’s with you. He’s with this church. He’s the same Savior—unchanging, faithful, and true.

CONCLUSION

Every season has its Jordan River. Every believer faces times of stepping out of the familiar and into the unknown. But wherever the Lord leads, He goes with His people.

So as we continue walking together in these coming weeks, and as God prepares all of us for what’s ahead, let’s do what Joshua did: keep our eyes fixed on the Lord, our hearts anchored in His Word, and our courage grounded in His promise.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

That’s not just Joshua’s promise—it’s ours too. The season may change, but the Savior never does.