Strong + Courageous: Into Faith We Go
We’re kicking off our brand new February series, Strong + Courageous, with an encouraging message from Pastor Eric. Throughout the month, we’re discovering what it means to live by faith, lead with strength, and lean on God in every situation.
In his message, Into Faith We Go, Pastor Eric shares a word about promises that we can hold onto about the adventure of faith from the first chapter of Joshua. In Joshua 1:1-9, we’re reminded that God’s presence is enough, God’s power is sufficient, and God’s word is unfailing. It’s time to go take the land! And it’s going to be an amazing month as we continue studying the life of Joshua together.
Not only is this passage our foundational scripture for Into Faith We Go, but it also highlights God’s direct, specific commission to Joshua following Moses’ death. The entire book of Joshua focuses on his life, his leadership, and his legacy, all under the direction of God’s direct influence.
It’s important to note that before Joshua came onto the scene, God had already been moving. Joshua is a continuation of the story that God started 40 years before him, through the story of Moses and the Israelites exodus from Egypt. If you’re not familiar with the story (or simply need a refresher!) be sure to listen to Pastor Eric’s message for the detailed prequel to Joshua’s story.
The takeaway from the Old Testament book of Exodus is that the Israelites–God’s chosen people–were set free by the hand of God and the leadership of Moses to start a journey toward the Promise Land. Enter: Joshua.
Joshua 1:1-9 (NKJV) 1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
6Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
God intended for these words to strengthen and encourage Joshua and they’re equally applicable to us today! God helped Joshua in his season of need and God’s here to help us in ours. Let’s dive in!
Into Faith We Go
Pastor Eric starts his message, Into Faith We Go, with a commercial and oh-so-relatable story about bringing his baby girl home for the first time and realizing how much strength and courage he would need to succeed on this journey called ‘parenthood’. God sends us on adventures all throughout our lives! We get a word from Him, sometimes a bit of time to prepare, but then comes the time when God says, “Alright, you’ve got this–into faith you go! Step out and start pursuing the goal.”
We see Joshua in this exact position in Chapter 1. After following Moses, a mighty man of God, for 40 years, God has now called Joshua to step up and lead the Israelites in an adventure of faith as they pursue the Promise Land. Joshua was about to learn first hand exactly what it means to be strong and courageous. His task would absolutely come with great blessing, but it would also come with great challenge. It’s in this moment that we see God speak a profound promise of declaration and encouragement to Joshua.
We’re looking at this prophetic word from heaven as a framework for how we should also embark on adventures of faith in our own lives. Let’s explore 3 fundamental truths about God that will encourage and strengthen us on our faith adventures!
1. His Presence is Enough
YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Joshua 1:3-5 (NKJV) 3Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.
Now that is a promise! It’s important to highlight that so often in our world, the demand for success gets put onto us. In our celebrity-culture, it’s easy to praise man. In these verses in Joshua, God doesn’t point to Joshua’s education or his leadership capacity or his fighting strategies, charisma, his prayer life or anything else–God doesn’t highlight Joshua at all.
In the promise of Joshua’s victory, God emphasizes himself. God ensures Joshua’s success because His presence is enough. We too can find strength and courage when we understand that we are not alone. Acknowledging that our skills set, our capacity, our knowledge, our charm, our abilities are not what’s important unleashes something powerful in our lives and in our leadership. God is on our side! He is with us and He is for us. This revelation will change how we view life and how we take on challenges.
Pastor Eric shares a comical story about his parents’ dog, Jonesy, in Into Faith We Go that perfectly portrays the power in understanding who is on our side. We cannot go on the adventure of faith alone or believing we can succeed on our own.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Exodus 33:15 (NIV) If your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here.
God’s presence is enough for us to be successful in every adventure we face! When God is with us, we can step out with confidence and with joy. Greater is He who is within us than he who is in the world. Jesus confirms us for this in the New Testament. So let’s be strong and courageous–we can face every obstacle that stands before us because His presence is enough. Amen!
Matthew 28:20 (NKJV) …lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.
Discussion:
Just like God was with Moses and Joshua, he is also with us. How do you feel God’s presence actively in the midst of your challenges?
How does God’s presence impact your ability to persevere through trials and tribulations?
2. His Power is Sufficient
YOU CAN BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Joshua 1:6-7,9 (NKJV) 6Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
As important as it was for Joshua to understand that God was with him, it was equally critical that Joshua understand that he, too, would have a part to play in this adventure of faith. God directly commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, knowing full and well that these attributes were pivotal to the success of the Israelite nation’s placement in the Promised Land.
John 16:33 (NIV) In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
We, too, must learn how to be strong and take courage, even in the midst of difficult situations. We’re about to find this strength and courage because His power is sufficient! We were never intended to lean on our own strength or power or abilities. The Hebrew words used in the book of Joshua help paint a picture of what it truly means to be strong and courageous:
STRONG (the process of becoming)
Hāzaq - To grow firm, to become strong, to take courage, to cure.
COURAGEOUS (the state of being)
'Amēṣ - To be strong, courageous, hard, of good courage.
In other words, God is encouraging Joshua:
- To become strong and be strong.
- To become courageous and be courageous.
This is such an encouragement for us all! This word from God and the way He said to be strong and courageous three consecutive times gives us grace to become something we don’t yet feel like we are. It also implores us to make a decision of our will to be something!
These verses, these directives from God remind us that even when we feel intimidated or insecure or incapable, we don’t have to be perfectly strong or perfectly courageous to face the battles that God has called us to face. The truth is, we will become strong and courageous as we choose to face the battle in spite of our insufficiencies. God appreciates our choice and willingness to commit to His will and, when we abide by His calling, we meets us where we are and helps us to develop strength and courage in the midst of challenges.
Ephesians 6:10 (NKJV) Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Discussion:
Like Joshua, we too are instructed by God to be strong and of good courage. What does that look like in our day to day lives?
What are the real-life differences between strength and courage?
3. His Word is Unfailing
YOU CAN TRUST HIS PROMISES
Joshua 1:7-8 (NKJV) 7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Too often, we underestimate the power of the simple Word of God. If we’re not careful, we can become too familiar with Scripture and we can easily forget that God’s word is active and living. The Word of God can change the world and it can change us.
God encourages Joshua and He encourages us with the reminder that His Word is unfailing. As we go on the adventure of faith, we must lean on and into His Word. Take a look at some of these profound scriptures to help encourage us on this journey.
Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV) For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NKJV) All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.
Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV) So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Psalm 107:20 (NKJV) - He sent His word and healed them.
Psalm 138:2 (NKJV) - For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.
God’s word is alive, it’s inspired, it’s profitable, it’s capable, and it can be trusted. We can trust in the Word of God! It’s vitally important to all of us and when we set it as the rock in our life, our foundation, we the strength and courage God intends for us to, just as he intended for Joshua to on his faith adventure.
We must depend on the word of God, not just making it a book we read at night to check off our Christian to do list. We must make the Word of God our life source keep His word forever on our minds and hearts. We’re encouraged to do this in 3 ways:
- God’s word needs to be on our lips (shall not depart from your mouth)
- God’s word needs to be on our minds (meditate on it day and night)
- God’s word needs to be practiced in our lives (you shall observe to do according to what's written in it)
Joshua 1:10-11 (NKJV) 10Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11“Pass through the camp and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you will cross over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess.’ ”
Discussion:
Share a time when you witnessed proof of God’s consistency and unfailing promises.
What specific promises in God’s word do you meditate on regularly?
How do they help you to be strong and courageous without being terrified?
Prayer:
Lord, we love you so much. What a joy and privilege it is to be in a free nation where we can come together and worship the name of Jesus and open the Scripture to connect with you. Speak to us today and help us to continue through our week living more and more like Jesus. In your Son’s holy name we pray, Amen!
