Joshua : Strong & Courageous // Mission Possible Pacific Coast Church Pastors JF & Ashley Wilkerson
Joshua 1:1-4 NIV
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
1. Courage always involves an ASSIGNMENT (mission)
Joshua 1:2 NIV
2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
2. Courage requires ASSURANCE (trusting fully in the Lord)
Joshua 1:5,9 NIV
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
3. Courage grows through ADHERENCE (commitment)
Joshua 1:6-7,9 NIV
6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
4. Courage matures through APPLICATION (of the Word of God) REINFORCEMENT: strengthen or support an object or substance, especially with additional material.
Psalm 56:3-4 (NLV)
3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 I praise the Word of God. I have put my trust in God. I will not be afraid. What can only a man do to me?
Joshua 1:7-8 NIV
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
QUESTIONS
1) Courage always requires an assignment. Have you experienced this in your life? Describe a scenario where you felt stronger and more courageous after completing a mission.
2) What does it look like for you to fully trust in the Lord? What areas of your life require you to emphasize this even more.
3) What verses in Scripture encourage you to be stronger? How has God’s Word made you a more courageous person?