Joshua 1.1-11
Moses, my servant, is dead, now...
An new era, a new time, the end of one portion of Israel's history.
Crossing the wilderness is over, the Promised Land is before them.
Under the leadership of Moses the nation had journeyed to the border of the Promised Land. Due to unbelief what should have taken a month took 40 years.
New Years offer a chance to start anew, an opportunity to reflect, a time for making changes and a time to worry about what lies ahead! Given the time we are in it can be a time of anxiety and even dismay.
As always we need to hear what God's Word has to say. God's Word is for today. This verse speaks directly to us about things on the horizon in 2015.
Israel was in a transitional time. Moses' leadership was coming to an end. God had already prepared Joshua. He spoke through Moses to keep the people calm during this change of national leadership. His Word through His servant encouraged and challenged the people.
The word, "Now" in verse 2, is power packed. It is part of this transition of leadership but also giving instructions and promises for the immediate future and the distant future. You see how the LORD transcends time? This was a culmination of years of Israel's history-v.6 Promises made to Abraham, Issac and Jacob were about to be fulfilled. Let's look at the truths for us here as we have begun this New Year.
Joshua 1 has been used by many pastors to encourage their congregations to lean on the LORD and trust Him for victory in life’s challenges when facing a New Year. I myself have used it many times.
The known and unknown had frightened Israel and turned them back from the portal of entry into the Land God promised them.
Jesus said He was the Truth. He prayed to the Father for our sanctification, and said that the Father's Word was Truth. He tells it like it is!
1. Moses was Dead but God was Still Moving. v.1
Still is
End of an era.
Visit to old church building yesterday. Mayor MacDermott's wife, Mary runs one of the Girl Scout troops which meets in our church. She invited me to go over.
I thought of the past, our past.
I had a memory rush.
I thought of God's Sovereign Hand.
I thought of the Good Hand of the LORD was upon Pastors Restrick, Cubie, Bedell and Pastor Utter and Arey and Pastor Rapalje (I don't feel worthy to be associated with this list at times).
I thought of how God got us here as they asked me the story.
I thought of the incredible passage of time.
Only 5of us were ever even in that building when it was our church.
I thought of how my grandkids are now as old and older than my girls were when I came 30 years ago.
Steve and Cindy Lai asking me in Target yesterday if I have retired!
Beginning of a new one.
I thought of my nephews getting married and how they used to romp around my home for their vacations, of Pastor Murillo's kids, who used to come to my house on a regular basis... and have lunch or dinner or a late snack... the youngest is now married and will soon become a mom, her brothers are married and fathers now.
Often the with the death of a leader the movement he led dies.
It could be that it was just for that time.
It could be the movement get stuck in the past.
It could be that the movement adapts and continues in new ways under new leadership.
Let's find where God is moving and join Him this year.
We know He is working among the children (and through them)
Suitcases for Haiti Girl Scouts involved with Haiti
The technology is amazing. You may not like it but God is using it... using it in powerful ways these days.
France, Poland, India, Russia, Germany, The Philippines, South Africa, Nigeria, Italy have read or listened to Our Sunday Morning Message- at the click of a button they can translate the whole thing now.
Malaysia, British Isles. Holland, Sweden, China and Viet Nam and others throughout the year.
Spoke to friends from 40 plus years ago... I want to write yoou a check for Haiti, through the technology we have today.
2.Joshua was called to lead. v.2
A new day which would lead to a whole new life for the nation
A new land Haiti
A new segment of the population around our Jerusalem. Unreached.
A new leader or was it?.... God was still leading.
Different human instrument same God.
God has ways of working and things He wants to do we cannot even imagine.
Be yourself.
Let Him use your gifts and your pain. Joshua grieved but took it and led the nation, not casting aside Moses work at all but continuing on with it.
3. The Promises made to and through Moses would be fulfilled v.3
To Abraham
Isaac's birth
Jacob's name change
Joseph's saving of many lives including Israel's present and future
He was going to work through Joshua in ways like Joshua never knew.
The Israelites were about to see God work in ways like they had never seen.
Let's pray for our community, for this Island and for the whole Metro Area and our nation and this world.
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