Joshua 1:10-18

Readiness and Willingness As Response to God’s Faithfulness

By God’s grace and providence, Joshua and the Israelites are camping in front of the promised land! They are almost there. God has paved the way for them to arrive in that place.

In our passage today, we see the readiness and willingness of Joshua and the Israelites in response to the faithful workings of God in their lives.

There are principles that we can learn and apply individually and as a church, especially in response to the work of God in our lives and in the church.

As people of God, we can learn from those in the past to teach us today. After all, the Bible was written to teach us.

Romans 15:4 NIV

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

Remember that they are called to model before the watching nations on how to worship God - similar to the church’s calling.

Remember that they are to be the instruments of God ‘s grace to bring the good news of salvation to the unbelieving people and nations - similar to the church’s calling.

3 Important Examples of Readiness and Willingness that we can learn from:

I. The Readiness of Joshua

He has a heart right before God (1:5)

He has experience and skills he learned under Moses

He showed strength and courage

He showed immediate and full-obedience to God (1:10-15)

(1:5 God is with him)

(2 against 10)

The Readiness of Church Leaders

A heart right before God.

A continual desire to be equip and effective in nurturing those under their leadership.

Strength and courage to stand firm in the truth and oppose the lies of the enemy.

Immediate and full-obedience as opposed to passive and partial obedience.

II. The Readiness of the People

Preparation of Provisions (v.11)

Material Provision (food, water, clothings)

Belongings necessary to cross the Jordan.

Spiritual Preparation

a heart right before God - it is the only way to win the war.

Preparation for battle (v.12-15)

Obedience to God as seen in obedience to Moses and then to Joshua.

Commitment to God in maintaining discipline and accountability

The Readiness of the Church Members

Continual desire for spiritual growth - a right heart before God.

Freedom from the entanglement of material and worldly pursuit.

Commitment to God in the Spiritual Disciplines - Word - Worship - Prayer.

Engaged in Accountability Partnership (A-groups).

III. Willingness to help and labor for the good of the whole nation (v.16-17)

Service for the welfare of other tribes.

Prayer and encouragement for their leader.

If they had not responded with willingness to help and fight - it could be have been a big problem - it would prolong the conquest.

There response is a wonderful model for us today.

Willingness to help and labor for the good of the whole Church

Willingness to put the welfare of others above self.

To pray for the leaders to abide in the Lord.

What would happen to the church if we don’t have the willingness to help and lift one another?

The Ultimate Model of Readiness and Willingness

The Readiness and Willingness of Jesus Christ

His heart is right before the Father as displayed in His prayer life.

His obedience to the Father’s will is displayed in His willingness to die on the cross.

His love for the believers is displayed in His continual prayer for them until He comes again.

Jesus is the ultimate model of readiness and willingness.

Proper Response:

How is your readiness to Serve Jesus and His church?

How is your willingness to surrender your life and submit to Jesus?