Pursuing God in the midst of distress

Joshua 1:1–9 ESV

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “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. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 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. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 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.”

What is Joshua’s distress?

“My servant Moses is dead”

In the midst of Joshua’s distress, God has called Joshua to do something for the Him. That is to continue what Moses had left. Lead the Israel into the land God has promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Distress should not dysfunction us to perform God’s calling and purposes in our life

Who gave the command to Joshua?

Joshua submitted himself to the authority of his LORD GOD. He entrust to him his emotion and fear. He knows that in the end of the day, it is the LORD’s will should prevail.

In the midst of distress, God had comforted Joshua, “No man shall be able to stand before you”, “I will not leave you or forsake you.”, “Be strong and courageous”

God’s comfort Joshua with the reminder to not forsake the word of God. He must be careful to observe it so he can prosper. God’s word is our ultimate life guide. We need to embrace it and put it around our neck.

Proverbs 3:1–3 ESV

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, 2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. 3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

Matthew 5:11 ESV

11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

James 1:2 ESV

2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,

Hebrews 12:2 ESV

2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

God’s Calling

Joshua 1:2 ESV

2 “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.

God’s Command

Joshua 1:7 ESV

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 ESV

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.”

God’s Comfort

Joshua 1:5 ESV

5 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.