12/05/2024
Sermon
Courage, determination, obedience and commitment
Joshua 1:1-9
Hebrews 4:1-11
*The beginning of the plight of Israel begun when God gave Abraham a promise and year down the line, God fulfills the promise in the time of Joshua and God bestows the power to deliver the descendants of Abraham to the promised land to Joshua, just after the death of Moses, God promotes Joshua to leadership, and promises to be with Joshua all through this mission.
* Joshua is to lead what we call the generation of faith (looking at Joshua and Caleb who believed despite of the obstacles that with God on their side they were gonna take the land of Canaan- the place of rest, the place of inheritance).
* Inorder to live a live of peace and rest, victory had to be achieved, God said that he would push the inhabitants as his pple progressed ,meaning God took upon himself that he was going to give the israelites victory.
# God asks Joshua to be courageous (courageous faith that God is with Him). God repeats it several times to Joshua that he shouldn't fear but be courageous for he(God)is with him, an assurance that despite of what they'll encounter on the way, God is with them. Yes the enemy may seem stronger, yes the devil may be strong but I am determined of victory for He who is in me stronger than the one who is in the world. The flesh is weak but His Spirit in me is stronger than my flesh.
urges Joshua to have consistent obedience, for two cannot walk together unless they agree, and that agreement between Joshua and God is obedience of the laws of God passed to the israelites through Moses. God will lead those who obey him for that makes him a priority in our lives, holding him in a higher honour and giving him all the glory. Joshua and we gotta obey God for him to lead us and grant us victory.
also requires Joshua to be committed to the word of God, he is to lead the israelites with the word of God, to read it understand and meditate on it, that what he thinks, speaks and acts is all the word of God. The word is the light that leads his feet and our feet, only the word makes our thoughts right and only the word makes our actions acceptable and only the word secures our victory. The word of God purifies the spring of living water in our hearts, instead of producing filth and death, we produce live because the word in us brings forth life.
The courage (is a pure determination that we are covered, protected and catered for) is as a result of obedience to God and commitment to His word. Namwandama Bwana (17)......Amini ukatii .