1
|
|
Joshua
Became the new Leader of Israel
|
2
|
|
[Joshua
1:7-8]
Be
strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses
gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be
successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law 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.
|
3
|
|
God
raised Moses, the great leader and led the Israelites out of Egypt.
Then, after 40 years passed, Moses died at the age of 120.
|
4
|
|
God
decided to raise Joshua as the new leader of Israel.
Joshua
his whole life had followed Moses and had helped him.
|
5
|
|
Moses
once sent 12 spies to take a look at Canaan.
Moses picked one person from each tribe and Joshua was also picked as one of
them and he went to Canaan as a spy.
|
6
|
|
At
that time, 10 people among the 12 was terrified and said,
"The
Canaanites are so strong that we seemed like grasshoppers to them.
We were so small and pitiful. It is obvious that we will lose the
battle."
|
7
|
|
However
at that time, Joshua and Caleb said very faithful words.
"We
do not think like that. No matter how strong they are, if God is with us it
will be so easy to win over them. We will swallow them up."
Joshua
was the one who had said these words of great faith.
|
8
|
|
Also,
Joshua was the one who had fought in the battle with Amalech.
He
did not have much experience in fighting but he got the order of Moses so he
believed in God and went to the battle.
|
9
|
|
Moses
raised his two arms high and prayed and Joshua fought with Amalech.
God
helped Joshua to win over that battle.
Joshua
believed God even though he did not have many experiences of fighting so God
gave the victory to Joshua.
|
10
|
|
God
wanted this brave and faithful Joshua to lead Israel after Moses.
However,
Joshua thought that he was too weak and not good enough to handle such work.
|
11
|
|
God
knew Joshua's heart so He appeared to him. Then God ordered Joshua.
"My
servant Moses is dead so from now on, you will continue to do the work. Lead
this people, cross the Jordan River and go to the land I have promised."
|
12
|
|
As
God ordered Joshua, God gave amazing promises to him.
"I
will give you every place where you set your foot. You will own all the land
you see from the south to the north."
This
is a promise that God would give them the victory in all of the battles they
would have.
|
13
|
|
Also,
God promised to Joshua in the same way as He had said to Moses.
"As
I was with Moses, so I will be with you; No one will be able to stand up
against you. I will never leave you and I will be with you."
|
14
|
|
Now
Joshua had no worries no matter how strong the other armies he would meet
because God, the most strong one was with Joshua.
If
God is with someone, no one can win over them.
|
15
|
|
God
gave an amazing promise to Joshua and gave these commands that he should always
follow to receive that blessing. Let us read the words of God. "Do not
let this Book of the Law 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."
|
16
|
|
After
Joshua became the leader of Israel, he kept the promise of God. Then, he
conquered Canaan and became a great leader who led Israel to build their
kingdom in Canaan. God always stayed with Joshua, who kept the promise, and
protected him and made him successful.
|
17
|
|
This
promise of God is a promise not only for Joshua. This promise is given to all
people and God will give a successful life to those who keep all of these
words. Keep the words of God in your mouth, read it day and night and follow
what it says. If you want to be a leader of great faith like Joshua follow
what I have just said. I hope that you will all become children of faith, who
receive the blessing of success by loving the words of God and following
them.
|
(You can change the conclusion of this sermon best suiting
to your listeners of this sermon. We want to make it clear that the provided
conclusion is only a sample conclusion provided by CTM.)
|