A NEW BEGINNING

Joshua 1:1-9

Many people would like to treat the new year as a new beginning. They feel that whatever had happened last year, all the failures and defeats, even all the accomplishments and victories are all part of the past. For them, the new year means new opportunities that can lead to a greater future.

How about you? What is your attitude about the new year? Are you excited about the prospects of the new year? Beginning this morning, I would like to speak about a new theme entitled, Moving into a Great Future. This study will be based on some significant chapters of the book of Joshua. You see, Joshua was God's chosen instrument in leading Israel from the wilderness wanderings into the promise land, from a time of just going around the wilderness without getting anywhere into the land of promise. Joshua took the time to record in his book how God has worked in their midst in order that He may bestow to them a great and exciting future.

Now, through our studies of this book, we will be able to discover some important principles on how we can experience a great future through God's help. I believe with all my heart that just like Israel, God has prepared for us a great and exciting future. Perhaps, the question is, are we moving towards the experiencing of it? Let's consider from our text where we need to start:

I     RESOLVE TO MOVE FORWARD: (1-4)

The first chapter of the book begins in a real crisis - Moses, the great leader is dead (vv. 1-2). God has chosen Joshua to be the next leader for Israel. Would he accept his calling? For Joshua, this will be a beginning of a more challenging journey.

Before we go further, allow me to give you a little background about our text. At this point, the nation of Israel is in the plains of Moab settled on the banks of Jordan waiting to go over and possess the land, which God had promised to them. About 40 years earlier, their fathers had received the same opportunity, but because of the fear of the majority, they had wandered around in the wilderness wasting precious time. Again, the same land is being offered for them to possess. God made it clear to them unless they step on it, the land will not become their possession:

"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 will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses"

By taking the step forward, the nation of Israel is claiming what God has promised to them. 40 years ago, they allowed the giants of Canaan to scare them, causing them 40 wasted years. They have to resolve in their heart that whatever comes along the way, they will continue to move forward.

Going back to the text, the river Jordan would be their first obstacle. Notice the application of this principle:

Are you willing to place your claim on your future? God has already made the promise for a great future:

We have to take that journey with great assurance that we have a great future because we belong to a great God, the creator of the universe.

II    REPLACE YOUR FEARS WITH FAITH IN GOD: (vv. 5-7, 9)

When you read verses 5-9, you will find the Lord repeating the statement, "Be strong and courageous", three times. This seems to suggest that there may be some apprehensions on the part of Joshua to take the leadership responsibility.

Of course, Joshua's fears were understandable. He was always an assistant to Moses. Now, it is his turn to lead. Most probably, he was not sure whether he really has the skill to effectively lead Israel.

Just like Joshua, we all have our own share of fears. And the truth about fear is the fact that it has two sides. There is the negative side that it can paralyze us. It can keep us from being all that God wants us to be. But fear also has a positive side. It can also motivate us to go to God, and allow Him to accomplish great things through us.

God was giving Joshua tremendous assurances - Listen to the following:

¢ 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; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua had seen the power of God worked through the life of Moses. With God's promises to him, he has to make the choice between trusting his limited skills or God's unlimited resources. Obviously, the only way he can move into a great future is to wholeheartedly trust in the Lord. By testimony, I don't think Joshua will have difficulty doing this because early on in life, he has already learned this lesson on trust:

I would not even hesitate to declare that this is one of the biggest reasons why he was chosen to this position of leading Israel.

How is your faith towards God? Is it possible that your fears have been keeping you from a greater future? Learn to replace your fear with a faith in God.

III   RESPECT THE MAP GOD HAS PROVIDED: (v.8)

Lastly, Joshua has to be impressed with the fact that God has provided what he needed in order for him to be a successful leader. God's word will function like the map for the journey.

However, Joshua must be willing to do three things:

A. He must coach others with it - "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth"

Joshua was given the responsibility to instruct others with it. He needs to influence the entire nation towards respecting God's directions.

B. He must comprehend it - "Meditate on it day and night"

The Scriptures does not provide us of instructions on how to meditate because Middle Easterners in Old and New Testament knew how to meditate. So we do what seekers of God have always done: we talk to others who have practiced it to find out how to do them. For them, meditation usually means reading and reflecting until fuller understanding.

Why is this important? Rick Warren explains: "Daily Bible reading will keep in range of God's voice" (Rick Warren, Purpose Driven Life)

The most common problem in meditation seems to be quieting oneself. As creatures of such a noisy culture, we often do one of two things: we fall asleep or our mind will race as we make a mental list of things we have to do or people we need to contact. We need to do our best to keep ourselves silent before the Lord.

C. He must conform to it - "so that you may be careful to do everything written in it"

God's path to blessings comes in obedience. It is not enough to be familiar with what God wants us to do; we must be diligent in obeying them. As we obey, God will take us forward step by step.

Today, it is quite common for people to base their future on chance or luck. They often would say, "I hope my life turns out well." The Bible does not want us to approach life this way. There is absolute certainty that life will be greater to those who entrust their lives in the hands of a mighty God.

I know who holds the future,
And I know who holds my hand;
With God things don't just happen--
Everything by Him is planned.
          --  A. Smith