Title: The Strong Sea of Joshua
Content
Joshua strong sea
1. Conditions for Success
“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord” (v. 1), God buried His servant, but not His ministry. Elijah threw his cloak at Elisha before leaving. As revealed in past history, God's work does not disappear with the passage of time. This is because God's work is not governed by time. Success in God's work is the way to live according to God's will. And it is done in God's way, not man's way. To please God is to be successful. Here is a surprising piece of information about what success deserves. And it shows how God's people should do God's work.
1. It is to understand God's purpose
“The Lord ... spoke to Joshua and said, . . . now . . . get up and cross this Jordan . . . and go to the land” (verses 1-2). Joshua didn't need the question, "Lord, what shall I do?" He never doubted God's calling. God was thorough in the way for him, and along the same path, he was convinced that he was doing God's work. When we do God's work, we are shaken when we do not have a calling and conviction, but we are not shaken when we have confidence (Galatians 1:1). The next thing you need is to know what the will of the Lord is.
2. It is faith in God's promises
“Every place where the sole of your foot treads I have given you” (verse 3), all things are possible to those who believe. The ground was the subject of their feet. This is because the land was the promised land of God. Every promise given belongs to the enterprise. In order to receive the promise, we must have faith and receive it.
3. It is the assurance of God's presence
“I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (verse 5). These three promises are fulfilled in faith. When God is with you, you will receive amazing blessings from God. The word “together” is a very precious and blessed expression for us.
And this confidence gives victory and boldness (Daniel 3:17). We must experience that God dwells in us.
4. It is courage in the name of God
If we believe that God is with us by being “strengthened and extremely courageous” (v. 7), we can face giants with lion-like boldness (1 Samuel 17:45). What was Elijah's attitude toward the 450 deceivers! If we have trust in God and faith in Christ, we will have greater strength and boldness (John 14:12-14).
5. It is trust in God's leading
“Turn not to the left or to the right” (v. 7). The Word of God is our only and infallible guide. There is no guide in the world as accurate as the Word of God. And when you live with this in your heart, you can receive great and wonderful blessings and rewards. We must follow the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. He showed infinite obedience to his father's words. The life of Christ itself was a process of living according to the will of the Father. To disobey the word of God is to forsake him.
God's children must live according to God's will and God's instructions. This is also the process of living while being moved by the Spirit of God.
6. It Rejoices in God's Word
Those who “meditate on it day and night” (verse 8) and find joy in the word of truth are like a tree planted by the water (Psalm 1:2-31). He is always energetic and full of energy. Those who keep his word in their hearts are always those who have good treasure (Matt. 12:35). When the Lord gives heavenly wisdom to our hearts through the work of the Holy Spirit, we will enjoy the greatest joy of the gospel in the world. Christ Himself described Himself as such the Word of God (Rev 19:13).
7. It Is Obedience to the Will of God
Just because Joshua knew only God's will and heard God's call was not enough. There should be an attitude of wholehearted obedience and total devotion. The obedience of our will to God has no escape in the way of spiritual life and eternal life. It's like we need breath to live.
“Everything you command us we will do” (Joshua 1:16). “Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth, but meditate on it day and night, and observe all that is written in it, so that you may make your way prosperous” (verse 8).
He, who became our example, was obedient to the point of death. Whatever he tells us, we must have the attitude to put it into practice. At that time, the wonderful blessings of God will come down from above.