sermons by IVOR POWELL

THE PROMISE THAT HELPED JOSHUA FILL BIG SHOES

"There shall not any man be able to stand before thee

all the days of thy life; as I was with Moses, so I will be

with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee" (Josh. 1:5).

To follow in the footsteps of Moses and become the new leader

of Israel was not an easy task The patriarch had spent forty years

studying the military prowess of Pharaoh's army and another forty

years exercising the patience and ability of a shepherd in the wilderness.

He needed eighty years of intensive training before he became

the leader of God's difficult people. They had been ungrateful,

unworthy, and unsurpassed in their criticism, and it remained a

mystery how Moses tolerated the people who made his life a misery.

The patriarch had been an intimate friend of the Lord, but the

time had arrived for another man to lead the nation. Joshua had

been chosen by God to lead Israel into the Promised Land, and' to

his everlasting credit it can be said he did a magnificent job.

An Unfailing God... A Command to serve

Joshua received special training for his assignment. Nearly forty

years earlier he had been one of the spies sent to gain information

about the Promised Land, and he probably had vivid recollections

of that eventful journey. It is believed by theologians that as a slave

in Egypt, he was trained in Pharaoh's army and was later responsible

for organizing a troop of slaves into a disciplined group of

warriors. When Moses prayed for help to overcome the Amalekites,

Joshua led Israel against the enemy. Afterward, God instructed the

patriarch to ordain publicly his chief minister, so the entire nation

would be aware of the authority bestowed upon the new leader (see

Num 27:18-23).

Joshua was a seasoned warrior, an able administrator, and a saint

filled with the Holy Spirit When God commanded him to take

Israel into Canaan, he was ready for the gigantic task It was significant

that the command, "Be strong and of a good courage" was

given three times, and each had special significance. Joshua was

urged to be strong for the sake of the land, the law, and the Lord.

The reason for his bravery would be the abiding presence of the

Lord. He would never be alone. The same promises can be claimed

by every Christian worker who has a Canaan to conquer.

An Unwavering Guide... A Challenge to Succeed

"This book of the Law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but

thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe

to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt

make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success"

(Josh. 1:8). Evidently, Moses had committed to writing all that the

Lord told him on the mountain. Joshua was present when God met

with Moses, but a written record of what transpired would prevent

forgetfulness. God had spoken, and He meant what He said! Without

the strength of God's abiding presence, even the greatest military

effort would fail. To govern and inspire the nation, Joshua

would be asked to overcome innumerable difficulties. Civil and

judicial problems would require attention; judgments would have to

be made. Whatever was decided, some critics would complain of

harsh treatment Some of the people had been hostile toward Moses;

they had not changed! The Scriptures were to be an infallible guide

to the man who would read them daily.

An Unseen General... A Companion to Share

"And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho . . . there

stood a man over against him with his drawn sword in his hand: and

Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our

adversaries? And he said, Nay, but as captain of the host of the

Lord am I now come... And the captain of the Lord's host said

unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon

thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so" (Josh. 5: l3-l5). It was

not permitted in Israel to worship any god but the Lord. Even angels

rebuked those who mistakenly fell at their feet (see Rev. 22:8-9).

The fact that Joshua was permitted to worship and instructed to

remove his sandal indicates that the Lord Jesus had come to earth to

be the commander-in-chief of Israel's army. God never Sent His

servant to fight alone; He delighted in sharing the joys and problems

of His people. As the eternal Word came to be with Joshua, so

the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost to reside with and in Christians.

The Captain of God's host was never seen again, but that was of no

consequence. Joshua knew when the Lord was near he knew His

voice!