Courage and Confidence Listen to this sermon now
Joshua Chapter One, verses 1-9; 16-18
A Message by Dr. Henry P. Kirk
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Chehalis, WA
Sunday, July 11, 2010
The book of Joshua is my favorite book in the Old Testament. The first five books of Moses lead the children of Israel up to Canaan, the Promised Land. Then, Joshua leads Israel into Canaan. The book covers a period of about 25 years, and it describes one of the most memorable conquests in history.
Joshua is a book of graphic movement, of campaign, conquests, and subjugation. Israel enters the land, overcomes the land, and occupies the land. Joshua could be a prototype of his great successor, Jesus Christ, who is still leading His own into the Promised Land – both here and now, and in heaven when we die.
Halley, the author of the well-known Halley’s Handbook, says that Joshua had been a personal attendant of Moses throughout the 40 years of wilderness wandering. He was with Moses on the Mount. He was one of the twelve spies who went into Canaan. Josephus (an early historian) says Joshua was 85 years of age when he succeeded Moses. He spent the next 6 years subdividing the land, and the rest of his life settling and governing the 12 tribes of Israel.
Scotland’s famous poet, Bobbie Burns, wrote in a letter to a certain Miss Chalmers
I have taken tooth and nail to the Bible, and am got through the five books of Moses, and half-way in Joshua. It is really a glorious book!
The key thought or central message of the Book of Joshua is “The Victory of Faith.” Such victory in the program of conquest exhibits that the victory was due to faith in God, not in the arm of man. The overthrow of giants would have created an impasse by human strength, but to the eye of faith, victory was a fait accompli. The New Testament repeats the message found in Joshua by stating “This is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith. (I John 5:4)
Chapter 1 of Joshua is a grand chapter. In verse 1, we read that God spoke to Joshua. This is ever the beginning of things where faith is concerned – that God has spoken. True faith does not act on the basis of mere human reasoning. Once satisfied that God has spoken, we need ask for nothing more. There can be no higher authority, and no higher reason to obey.
God spoke to Joshua. Has God spoken to you? Did you hear Him with your physical ears? Have you heard His voice in your heart? I can assure you that God has spoken to you through His word, the Bible. Charles Spurgeon, a famous theologian and minister, said that once you delve fairly into the scriptures, you’ll never leave them. The Book holds you as a magnet holds a needle; like a flower holds a bee. If you want great thoughts, read your Bible. If you want something simple, read your Bible. If you want the highest truth that ever was, read your Bible. The Book talks to you and to me in our mother tongue. To many, alas,it’s a dull book, dry as an old will. But when you hear your own name read out in a will, you perk up your ears. What if there should be something in the Testament of the Lord Jesus for you?! Spurgeon continues, “When I found my own name there, I danced for joy. It was in these lines, ‘God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life…’” Claim your legacy at once.!
The land of Canaan was given to Israel in Abraham, not Moses, the man of the law. By the law, Israel could never become entitled to Canaan. Moses couldn’t lead them in. Nor can the law ever lead us to God’s promised rest. Moses must die; Joshua must take his place. Verse I says, “Now after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke into Joshua, ‘Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them.’” God tells the exact boundaries of the land. Joshua’s assumption of leadership originated with a commission from God. Further, going into Canaan was based on clear divine authorization.
Has God given you and me jobs to do? Perhaps not as glamorous as the job He gave to Joshua, but never the less, the will of God for you and me. Tasks which He wants us to perform; assistance we are to render. Family, friends, and strangers to whom He wants to relate or to help through you and through me.
God told Joshua, “Get going.” However, Joshua seemed reluctant and felt incapable of carrying out God’s plan for his life. God told Joshua, “Be strong and of good courage.” God speaks to you and me today, “Get going.” And, when God calls us to do a job, He empowers us to do it. God said to Joshua, “I’m giving you the land – it’s all yours. No one will be able to hold out against you. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” And then in verse six, comes the powerful command for a second time. “Be strong and of good courage. I’ll give you the land – I already have.” In verse 7 again God says, “Only be thou strong and very courageous.”
Webster’s dictionary links courage with heart and spirit (fr.)
1. Attitude of facing and dealing with anything recognized as dangerous, difficult, or painful; instead of withdrawing from it. Quality of being fearless or brave.
2. Mind, purpose, spirit. The courage of one’s convictions. The courage to do what one thinks is right.
Some translations of this passage use the word confidence which Webster’s defines as firm belief; trust; reliance. The fact of being or feeling certain; assurance; belief in one’s own abilities; self-confidence, assurance.
Talk about the need forcourage and confidence, as most of you know, Jenny and I spent a seven year period helping establish the University of Livingstonia in Malawi, Africa. When it came time to develop the official crest of the university, the words “courage, confidence, and excellence” appeared in the design. Believe us, we needed to depend on the Lord for courage and confidence to get that university started in a third world country! We felt God’s presence and listened for His guidance.
So, here is Joshua, being commanded to have courage and confidence. And on what is he to base his confidence and courage? The answer: God’s word – God’s revelations. He is challenged to keep on track, go neither to the right nor to the left. Ponder, mediate on God’s word day and night.. The result will be prosperity and good success. Let us pay attention as we are receiving insight into good victorious living. In verse 9, the third time God admonishes Joshua, “Have I not commanded the? Be strong and of a good courage.” He follows with “Be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed, for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest.” No wonder Joshua had faith to do an impossible task! God called him, God empowered him. Joshua based his life on God’s word. Don’t be afraid – God is with you and victory is assured!
In these few verses, God is telling Joshua three times to have courage and confidence. Makes us wonder – maybe Joshua wasn’t as strong and confident by nature as we might think. And, we all know about that, for we too, are afraid, confused, anxious, bewildered, overwhelmed, worried and at times feeling very inadequate. But, we, just like Joshua, can gain courage and confidence in the basis of the work of Christ in us, and on our behalf. In fact, we are in a better position to live victoriously today than Joshua was then. Since, after Joshua’s time, Christ Himself came to earth to live, and to die for us. He rose from the grave in newness of life, and ever lives to make intercession for us. And, through His spirit, He wants to live in us and work through us.
This is what makes Christianity more than a religion, more than an ethic and more than the idle dream of a sentimental idealist. The genius of Christianity is that Christ Himself is the very content of the Christian faith. That He saves us from the futility of self effort. Christianity is not a “do it yourself religion.” Rather, it is receiving Christ as your Savior and Lord. It is He who makes us “tick.” I Thessalonians 5:24 says, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” Philippians 2:13 says, “For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of His good plan.” Christ did not come only to die for our sins, although that is gloriously true. Romans 5:10 says, “If, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His son, how much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” It is the life of Christ, in you and me as Christians that makes all the difference.
A Christian is one for whom Christ died, in whom Christ lives, and through whom Christ works. (Repeat) You see, when you received Christ you received His new life to be lived out in you and me. Let me give a simple example. Suppose you needed a new car and suppose, in a fit of generosity, I were to give you a new (well, recent) vehicle. Here are the keys – it’s yours. How wonderful! You’re so happy, and so am I. And then, some days later I see you pushing that car down Market Blvd. by yourself. “Say there! Is something wrong? Don’t you like the car? Doesn’t it work?” You reply, “Oh yes, it’s a nice car. I like it, but it sure is tough to push!” “Dear friend, maybe you didn’t understand when I gave you the car it included more than those 4 wheels, If you’ll take the key and start it up, you’ll find there is a motor with plenty of power to take you where you want to go!”
So it is with becoming a Christian. We receive Him. We receive His life, and His power the very power we need to live the Christian life. The apostle Paul talked about a secret which has been hidden from the ages which is Christ in you. Here is the secret of courage and confidence. My courage and my confidence comes through my faith in Him. Ephesians 6:10 says, “Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” II Timothy 2:1 repeats it, “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
This morning we have very briefly looked at the call of Joshua – a great man of God. He was given a big job to do – more than he could do on his own. He was told to trust in the Lord, and in His word, and then he could have courage and confidence. The same pattern is to be found in the New Testament in the lives of great women and men of faith. They looked not at their own strength and power to do great things, but rather to the Lord Jesus who lived in them and worked out through them and gave them the courage and confidence to live for Him. The apostle Paul found the secret – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Notice the final verse in the passage read a bit ago. After the people of Israel listened to Joshua, they said, “Ok Joshua, we’ll follow where you lead, but only lead with courage and confidence.” Today, we too have every reason to go forward with courage and confidence in the Christ who lives in us and works through you and me.
Now, let us get going – with courage and confidence!