Joshua 1:1-9 Letting go and moving forward

When in Kansas I facilitated part of a ropes course at our Kansas Nebraska youth camp. Imagine climbing a 40 foot telephone pole then walking out on a 3x4 platform. Standing on this small platform you would need to reach out to grab a rope and swing across 12 more ropes to the end. All 40 feet in the air. A great element! (at least for the one holding the belay rope on the ground)

One of our youth was a little blonde cheerleader. She was perfect for the element. Physically fit, low center of gravity, overall liteweight. This should be no problem for her. In fact she easily climbed the 40 foot pole. Her problem came as she got to the top. As she looked around, she became terrified. 40 feet in the air. A stiff breeze pushing on her. Nothing to hold to. In reality she was perfectly safe. I was holding her belay rope, fully trained, and I had done this countless times before. Yet as she looked around, all she could do was hold tightly to the pole at the top and yell out in fear. I called up to her, logically explaining there was nothing to fear. But the imagined terror was more than logic would handle. She would try to reach out for the first rope which was a number of feet away, but would not let go of the pole she had climbed. To reach it she would have to let go of the pole. I talked to her and encouraged her. Yet she would not release the pole. She would not embrace the change of moving forward.

No one could do it for her. If she was going to move forward, she would have to let go of the pole. If she was going to enjoy this new journey, she would have to let go of the pole. If she was going to be successful, she would have to leave the security of the pole and let go of the pole, trusting in the safety of the rope, knowing the faithfulness and skill of the one on the other side of the belay rope. Ultimately, she did. And found joy and excitement, embracing the change, letting go and moving forward, embracing the change, trusting in the ones who were faithfully keeping her safe.

As a church you stand at a transition point as you seek a new pastor. Some here may face other radical transitions. What will these transitions bring? One thing is for certain – they will usher in change. At these times, the question is, what will our reaction be. Will we let go of the past and move forward? Will we embrace change and trust the One who has us safely in His hands?

That was the case for Israel as well. Things had changed, Moses had died. The wilderness was behind them, and they stood on threshold of receiving the promises of God. It was time to let go of the past and move forward. They stand on the threshold. Would they let go? Would they embrace the change? Would they display faith in their Lord?

(ESV) Joshua 1 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.”

Pray

Let’s look at some simple thoughts about change

I. If we are to let go and move forward: There is A new reality to embrace

A. Accept a new reality

(NKJV) Joshua 1 1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, … 2 “Moses My servant is dead.

1. Face the stark reality – things have changed

a. Future will be different whether we want it or not

1) We live in world that is a whirlwind of change. The only constant is the certainty that things change. So what do we do? 2) Do we pretend that all is the same? But change comes anyway. 3) Do we seek to live longing for the days when things were static and the way we wanted it? But change comes anyway. 4) Do we hide away and try to reject change? But change comes anyway. 5) Do we resist change at every point seeking to retain the way it was? But change comes anyway. 6) Or perhaps we look to the Lord and see change as an opportunity for growth and transformation. Change comes and it is good. But we must let go of the past and move forward, trusting in Him.

2. Must change too

a. Move out of denial / Accept then adapt

3. And see it is an extension of the previous story

a. God is doing something new – building upon what He has already done

b. The past will serve as a launching point into the future (God has been there, and will continue to be there – will work in new ways)

B. Listen to God’s Word about this new reality

(NKJV) Joshua 1 1 … it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:

1. Same Lord – still involved. Gives new instructions.

2. Reaffirmation of previous truth

a. Stability based on the past / Encouragement / anticipation

b. New directions

3. Give new personal insight – apply the same truth in new ways – need to keep listening / keep learning / keep growing

4. As specifics change, reapply the underlying principles of His truth

C. Walk with God to live out this new reality

(NKJV) Joshua 1 2 … Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.

1. A different manifestation of faith

a. No more visible leadership (cloud/fire) / No more manna each morning

2. A different life style

a. Shed the past stigma of defeat and sin / Do things different

3. A different impact

a. Many now effected by his responses / different situation

b. Past equips for new roles / skills / empathy

The changing future rests on the certain promises He has given

II. If we are to let go and move forward There are God’s promises to claim

A. Promises of a good plan

(NKJV) Joshua 1 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.

1. Reminds of the promises

2. We view changes as an end – but it really is a beginning

3. The promises remain the same

4. Change is a continuation of His plan – a good plan

5. Already / not yet realized

1) Certainty 2) An intention all along 3) The new start begins with death of the past

B. Promises of empowerment

(NKJV) Joshua 1 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life;

1. What He calls to do – He will enable to do

2. Some natural ability perhaps But supernatural empowerment

3. It’s not up to me – this is freedom – I am not powerful enough – He is

C. Promises of His presence

(NKJV) Joshua 1 5 … as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

1. Proven in the lives of other / in your own past

2. Continues His faithfulness

3. Based on His presence

4. He not abandon you or let you down

5. It is His presence we need / and His presence is enough

But you can’t just stand there – You must personally respond

III. If we are to let go and move forward There is A personal response required

A. Live with active faith

(NKJV) Joshua 1 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

1. Implies opposition

2. Requires strength – personal effort

3. Requires courage -

a. Ok to be afraid – natural – courage is what you do anyway in spite of fear

4. Action based on faith --- He is the one commanding it / promising His empowerment ---- trust in Him

B. Live with focused obedience

(NKJV) Joshua 1 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.

1. Live what you know God said to do

2. Never waver – not swayed by others / society / self

C. Live immersed in His Word

(NKJV) Joshua 1 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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.

1. The only certain source of God speaking

a. Fooled by emotions / impressions / events

b. God’s Word never is wrong (our understanding of it may change/develop but it never changes)

2. Daily feeding our mind / constantly shaped by it

3. Responding to it / Changed by it

4. Source of hope faith encouragement

5. Living and active to do spiritual stuff within us

D. Live with Perseverance reflecting faith in Him

(NKJV) Joshua 1 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

1. Times when overwhelmed

2. Times when discouraged

3. Keep on trusting keep going on as if He will be there He will help. Because He will

There is security in moving forward with the Lord. There is victory. But it must be received by faith. There is no other way but to trust the Lord who is giving direction. That was true for Joshua and Israel. That is true today for you and me. We have to let go and move forward.

Today, how do you need to move forward in your life? What change needs to occur?

Perhaps you have never trusted Christ as Savior?

Perhaps you need to follow Christ in baptism?

Perhaps you need to join this church?

Perhaps it is time to commit totally to Him with your life – make life changes or commitments.

Respond to Him.