Focus – To observe how Israel received God’s promised blessing through obedience (and testify to God’s faithfulness by our obedience).
Central Truth – Christians receive God’s promises by faith.

What is the value of a promise? How trustworthy is the one who gives the promise?

1. PREPARING TO ENTER. Joshua 1:1-9

Times of transition; from Sin to Salvation, from defeat to victory, from GLORY to GLORY! The Israelites were on a journey, we are all on a journey. They were having a change of leader, Moses had gone up higher! They still had not arrived in the Promise land, they had been travelling for 40 years.

A. God Prepares The Leader, Joshua; (GOD’S PART). God gives him some facts, promises and directions. (Joshua 1:1-9).

Verse 1 – Face the fact, “Moses my servant is dead. (They did not sit around and mourn forever. They mourned for 40 days, then God gave them new directions), “ NOW then, you and all these people GET READY to cross the Jordan river” (That is the lot or the destiny of a leader, it’s never just about you but includes the people God has placed in your care).

Is God telling you it’s time for change? Maybe you have been in some place long enough and it’s time to cross over. It is time to COME OUT so you are able to GO IN!! It’s NOW & THEN, Present & Future, COME OUT from the PAST. WE CANNOT LIVE IN THE PAST going over and over the problems, if we want to really LIVE! The past is like a dream that we once experienced, we have to let go in order to move on.

The promise, verse 2 – GOD is SAYING, “I am about to give you what I promised”. This is music to every leader’s and believer’s ear. This was news to get excited about!

Then God’s assurance, verse 5 “no one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; (Try to remember all the proofs from the Scriptures that showed God was with Moses), “I will NEVER leave you nor FORSAKE you”. This sounds like a true and faithful friend.

NOW JOSHUA’S RESPONSIBILITY to do all what God commanded;

Verse 6 “Be strong and very courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land—

Verse 7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; (not just the parts that you like), do not turn from it to the right or the left, that you may be successful wherever you go”.

Verse 8 “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.”

If you are trying to prosper another way it will not work. Life is not a gamble, God’s word says “He rewards the work of our hands”. Life in Christ Jesus is a sure hope and a great opportunity to serve Him because of our love for Him, but mostly because of His love for us.

An anointed leader; is not only a worker, but one whom God has called, equipped and authorized and a leader who hears and obeys God’s voice. This kind of leader is well able to lead and prepare the people.

Joshua instructs the people, because he has already heard God’s directions; Personal encouragement from the Lord, enables us to encourage others. God imparts knowledge and wisdom when we spend time with Him. Wisdom helps us to know what to do with the information God has given us.

Food for the journey; This was Joshua’s first concern for the people, verse 11 “Get your supplies ready”. Good leaders need to do all they can to enable the people to remain strong and to always be prepared for anything that may be ahead. A good healthy ‘spiritual’ diet helps us to keep our energy, health and strength. A lack of the right nourishment can cause tiredness (apathy), weakness (open to Satan’s attacks) or sickness (sin or poor health).

Warriors are needed in a land where enemies are present. (Joshua 1: verses 12-16.)

Faithfulness not rebellion is a necessity for victory. These people knew where disobedience and rebellion lead. They were at the end of the 40 years of wandering in the Wilderness, (that was the ‘reward’ for disobedience to God and disrespect towards His leaders).

CONCLUSION; ENTERING IN BY FAITH.

There was now a new expectation and faith, by a people who took their responsibility seriously. Here were a people prepared to enter into the Promised Land. They knew the cost of disobedience, some had been young children when they began the journey and were now in their forties!

Stepping into a New Beginning in a New Land, (Joshua 3:9-13):
They were at the brink of stepping into the Promise land, when suddenly they were faced with a huge obstacle! How could they cross the River Jordan? How can we overcome obstacles in our lives today?

Get over our human reactions; fear, confusion and sometimes anger.

Hear The Word of The Lord, this builds up faith.

Remind yourselves of HIS PROMISES, to build up courage.

Act on His Word (Joshua 3:14-17). When the feet of the priests touched the water’s edge, the miracle took place. It was just like the Crossing Over with Moses, the waters parted and the nation and the warriors stepped out to cross into their new territory. They were ‘over comers’ walking in faith.

Satan always tries to have the last word, overcome Satan’s last stand! Remind him of his future which can be seen in Revelation 20.

Grumbling and complaining will put up a barrier to prevent us receiving God’s promises.
Let the Presence of God go first. The Ark represented God’s Glory and Presence. Worship brings us into God’s presence and prayers of faith go ahead. They make a pathway for God’s promises to be fulfilled. Faith clears the way, to enable us to receive our miracles from God.