Courageous Peace

Courageous Peace

(Joshua 1:1-9)

Yearly Theme:  “Peace is…”

Series Title:  “Peace in the Promised Land”

March 7^th, 2021

Something to think about:

Courage.  What is it?  Most of us can probably give more examples of what it’s not rather than describe what it really is.  According to the dictionary, courage is a noun, and it means:

“the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.”[1]

I would take it a step further and say that courage isn’t so much the absence of fear, but rather the presence of hope.  And the reason is, the one who trusts in the Lord’s promises is the one whose hope is full.  And the one whose hope is full, is also full of strength and courage.

This is the story of Joshua, the servant of Moses, and the leader of the Israelites into the Promised Land in the Old Testament book that bears his name.  Joshua was strong and courageous, only because of his trust in God.  He believed what God promised and because of that, was able to accomplish much.  Let’s take a look at his story this morning as we begin a new series this month entitled, “Peace in the Promised Land.”

Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT),

After the death of Moses, the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, ² “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. ³ I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—⁴ from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

⁶ “Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” ^[2]

So what’s the main take-away from this passage of Scripture this morning?

Key Point:  “There is peace in the promises of God.”

In reminding Joshua of His promises, God exhorts Joshua three different times to “be strong and courageous,” but why?  Let’s take a closer look and find out…

• Be strong and courageous: “for  are the  …”

Joshua 1:6 (NLT), Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.

A correlating passage of Scripture comes directly from the lips of Jesus to His followers.  Listen to what He says,

John 15:16-17 (NLT), ¹⁶  You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. ¹⁷  I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

• Be strong and courageous: “ all the  …”

Joshua 1:7-8 (NLT), ⁷ Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

Another correlating passage of Scripture, again from the lips of Jesus to His followers, is found in the Gospel of John.  Listen to what He says,

John 15:12-17 (NRSV), ¹²  "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³  No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. ¹⁴  You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵  I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.

• Be strong and courageous: “for the  , your  is with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:5, 9 (HCSB), ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. I will be with you, just as I was with Moses. I will not leave you or forsake you. … ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Something to take home:

This world needs more men and women of faith who are willing to trust in the promises of God, take a risk for Him, and believe that His ways are best even when the rest of the world mock.  We need more men and women of faith who are willing to carry the cross through the jeering crowds of nay-sayers knowing that it ultimately leads to freedom.  The world needs more men and women who are willing to point the way, confidently and courageously, to the truth of God’s Word (who is Christ), standing in the gap for the lost, and fighting the good fight of faith unashamedly.  And finally, as believers/followers of Christ, we need to (now more than ever before) be strong and courageous, remembering the promises of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior that He is with us wherever we go.[3]

Key Point:  “There is peace in the promises of God.”

[1] Dictionary.Com, Unabridged, Based on The Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021.

^[2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Jos 1:1–9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

[3] Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT), ¹⁸  Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. ¹⁹  Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. ²⁰  Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”