How to Move Forward with Courage

To Move Forward we must know God’s Purpose, Meditate on His Precepts, and Trust in His Presence.

Background– Their leader has died and they face a huge task – taking the promised land For more than 40 years Moses had been the mouthpiece of the Lord to them.

God does not here dwell upon Moses’ death. There is still His work to be done.

Understand God’s Purposes (6)

Their task – fulfill God’s purpose and plan for them, take the Promised Land.

Though God would go before them, it required faith in action on their part. It was no easy journey. They still had to fight.

The people of the land had not changed during the 40 years in the wilderness.

This task would require physical and spiritual strength.

Be Strong – bear up under external pressure. Resolute

Courageous – means the same, but appears to refer more to the heart.

Courage comes from knowing that we are walking in God’s will.

What is God’s purpose for YOU? Salvation, Sanctification, Witness

Meditate on God’s Precepts (7-8)

It was through knowing God in His Word that their faith would be strengthened. “Faith comes by hearing … the Word of God.”

God had told them that he took them through the trials in the wilderness so that they would learn, “that man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Deut. 8:3

They were to meditate in the law continually

It is the revealed Word of God. 2 Tim 3:16-17 “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.”

God’s Word is still the basis of our fellowship with Him

John 15:8-9 “If ye abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, so you will be My disciples.”

The prosperity and success are in relation to accomplishing God’s plan and purpose for our life. (Not health and wealth).

When we get into God’s Word we experience the promise of his presence.

Trust God’s Presence (9)

This promise bookends the whole section. (vv. 6 & 9)

It was important because His presence would no longer be manifest in the cloud by day or fire by night. Instead it was the promise of his continual presence.

We have the same promise from Christ:

“I will not leave you comfortless, I will come unto you.” John 14:18

“Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

“Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:5-6