The Book of Joshua - Get Up

Sometimes, you can’t go back in faith, but you don’t know how to go forward. All you have is a promise, a call, and a choice.

Have you ever hit the snooze button? It feels good in the moment, but won’t feel better in the long run if you hit snooze for 7 more minutes. You need to start moving.

Joshua 1
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”

Joshua Takes Charge

Joshua moves from helping to leading. He takes possession of his position.

There isn’t a verse between 9 and 10, so God explained exactly what he would do, and once everything felt right, Joshua got up and did it.

There are things that God asks us to do… so, why don’t we do it?
 

• Paralyzing perfectionism – exact timing, feeling good about it
  We believe God’s perfect plan means we will do it perfectly. You will mess things up. That’s not an excuse, it’s inevitable.
• Shame from past failures

 
There’s always tension with God, but what happens next for Joshua? Remember, he’s following in the footsteps, or the shadow, of Moses.
 
The People Respond

Joshua 1
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 “Remember the command that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you after he said, ‘The Lord your God will give you rest by giving you this land.’ 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, ready for battle, must cross over ahead of your fellow Israelites.

If this is just about what they get, they don’t have to fight to get it. They already have it, but it’s not about that.

When it’s about you, it involves comfort. When it’s about others, it involves cost.

They take possession of their role, but it’s not for them.

Joshua 1
You are to help them 15 until the Lord gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land the Lord your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the Lord gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise.”
16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!”

Surround yourself with people who echo what God has already said.

This doesn’t mean we should surround ourselves with a sounding board of people who will affirm what we already think. We need to surround ourselves with people who love us, love our church, and are unafraid to tell us the truth.

God gives us rest. How? By “giving you this land” and “taking possession of the land.”

Rest comes through action, not relaxation.

What if rest came from inaction? They’d still be in the wilderness on the other side of the river. They’d never have claimed the promise. Finding rest in God isn’t passive, it’s a battle.

Comfort is great when it’s part of your life. It’s unhealthy when it is your life.

The promise of God is not “when you feel ready, I’ll go with you,” it’s “I’ll be with you wherever you go.” You can get ready, but you’re never going to feel ready.

We can easily use God to justify what we already want to do. God often calls us to something much less certain and more complicated. But in that, we find peace, and ultimately rest even if it’s not immediate.

So, what has God already called you to do that you’re still waiting to feel ready for?

• You don’t need more clarity – you need more courage.
• You don’t need more information – you need more obedience.
• You don’t need to feel stronger – you need to move anyway.
  
  

So, take the first step, not because it’s easy or you’re fearless, but because He is faithful and you’re not alone.

Want to play catch-up, or are you looking for a specific topic? Check out our collection of sermons and stay tuned for Season 2 of our podcast, LHC Unplugged, coming soon!

For more LHC content, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram.