I Am Bound For The Promise Land: Josh. 1:1-9; 21:43-45

I. Joshua Listened For Yahweh’s Voice vs. 1-2

A. Joshua had to listen actively for Yahweh’s voice. This isn’t some mystical experience that some make it out to be. You get in the Word, and God will speak primarily through His Word. Heb. 1:1-2

Hebrews 1:1–2 NASB95

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

John 14:26 NASB95

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

B. God will use people either through a sermon, or a conversation, but it never violates His word, it always is in accordance with that. I Cor. 1:21

1 Corinthians 1:21 NASB95

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.

C. When the Holy Spirit prompts you, don’t delay do it! If there is doubt, check up to make sure it’s the Holy Spirit. When you are down, you will grasp at straws, and think the Holy Spirit is speaking to you. (Andy Stanley meds waking him up ex) I Thess. 5:19-21

1 Thessalonians 5:19–21 NASB95

Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

II. Joshua Acted on Yahweh’s Command vs. 2, 6-9

A. Joshua had to get up, and do what God had commanded him to do.

B. Yahweh tells Joshua three times to “be strong and courageous”. Sometimes God has to repeat Himself, before we get it through our think skulls! Usually, when God something 3 times, it’s either something is perfectly done (holy, holy, holy) or you really need to pay attention. In this case Joshua was going to really need to be strong and courageous.

C. He had to follow God completely. Do you want complete blessings or partial blessings.

D. He had to meditate on God’s word and His call on Joshua’s life.

III. Joshua Ascertained Yahweh’s Promise vs. 3-4, 21:43-45

A. Joshua was one of the two that said that they could take the lang 40 years ago, now he and Caleb were finally take the land. “So God gave them time to think it over. He put the entire nation in time-out for nearly forty years. They walked in circles. They ate the same food every day. Life was an endless routine of the same rocks, lizards, and snakes. Victories were scarce. Progress was slow. They were saved but not strong. Redeemed but not released. Saved from Pharaoh but stuck in the desert. Redeemed but locked in a routine. Monotonous. Dull. Ho-hum, humdrum. Four decades of tedium.”- Max Lucado

B. The promise land is a picture of the victorious Christian Life. The more abundant life. Phil. 4:11-13

Philippians 4:11–13 NASB95

Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

C. “Our promise Land isn’t a physical territory; it is a spiritual reality. It’s not real estate but a real state of heart and mind”- Max Lucado

D. The fight wasn’t over, but Yahweh had given them what they needed, and they learned that their circumstances didn’t dictate their abundant life, but their abundant life dictated how they viewed their circumstances.