When I think about Joshua's life, I can't help but notice a few things I'd like to share with you:
Joshua was about 45 years old when the people of Israel arrived in the city of Kadesh-barnea after leaving Egypt, and it was from that city that he was sent to spy out the promised land for 40 days with 11 other spies.
After 40 days of spying on the land, they were able to know and observe the following characteristics of those nations (Numbers 13:27-33 ):
• The land flowed with milk and honey;
• The people who live those lands were powerful;
• Cities were fortified and very large;
• Those people were stronger than the people of Israel;
• The men were of great stature, giants;
• The people of Israel seemed like grasshoppers before them.
As you could see, the spies' report was very REALISTIC, that is, IT DEMONSTRATED THE NATURAL REALITY OF THAT SITUATION.
According to the report of 10 of the 12 spies, the people of Israel would be destroyed if they tried to conquer those lands.
Numbers 14:3 Why is the LORD bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt? 4 And they said to each other, We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.
But Joshua knew that the God of Israel was not a natural God and he urged the people of Israel not to look to what was natural, but to the promises of God.
Numbers 14:6 Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes 7 and said to the entire Israelite assembly, The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. 8 If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. 9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them.
But the people of Israel listened to the 10 spies and rebelled against Joshua, Caleb and Moses.
And for having listened to the 10 spies, the people of Israel were condemned by God to wander in the desert for 40 years.
At the age of 85 Joshua was called by God to lead the people of Israel to conquer the land they should have conquered 38 years ago.
Joshua 1:2 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.
I keep imagining the "butterflies in stomach" of Joshua, because being Moses' successor was not an easy task, because Moses had great intimacy and authority from God.
But, God said some words, which certainly motivated Joshua tremendously and I would like to highlight some of these words so that you feel like a Joshua, a conqueror, directed by God, for IN YOUR FIGHTS NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO RESIST YOU:
In Joshua 1:6-9:
• Be strong and courageous;
• Be careful to do everything as God has commanded you;
• Do not turn from the Word of God to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go;
• Do not let the Word of God depart from your mouth; 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 ;
• Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
OBEY GOD'S COMMANDS, AS JOSHUA OBEYED, AND BE A CONQUEROR.
The Lord bless you and keep you.
Pastor Val Martins
