January 25, 2022
It’s almost time for the Olympics. AGAIN. The winter Olympics is less than two weeks away! If it seems like we just had the Olympics, that’s because the 2020 summer Olympics was postponed until summer 2021. Now we’re having the on-time Winter Olympics.
Athletes are going to have a real challenge. First, they have to be in top form for the Olympics. But at the same time, they have to be very careful to say away from Covid. The Olympic officials will be very strict, and there will be frequent testing. Athletes need to have negative tests in order to come to China and in order to compete.
The athletes will have a challenge on top of a challenge.
Life is that way sometimes. A challenge comes along on top of another challenge. For example, you get a difficult health diagnosis like cancer. Then the doctor says, “Wait, there’s more!” and there’s another health challenge on top of it. Your boss is unhappy with your work, and on your way home you wreck your car.
There are times when you need extra courage, extra help for the tough journey you are faced with.
That’s what happened to Joshua. Moses died, and now God says, Joshua, you will take his place. It is an absolute honor, that God considers him for the top job! Except for the fact of what lies ahead: the people of Israel are about to enter the promised land. Yes, there is milk and honey there. But the Canaanites and other nations in the land are strong people, seasoned warriors, living in fortified cities, and the terrain is mountainous and tricky.
Plus, Joshua is taking over for Moses. Deuteronomy 34:10-12 says this about Moses: “No prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, who did all those miraculous signs and wonders the LORD sent him to do in Egypt – to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.” Joshua is good, but he isn’t as great as Moses!
In addition, Joshua knew what the people of Israel were like: they liked to complain! Moses got them out of slavery in Egypt, and when things got rough, the people said, we were better off when we were slaves in Egypt! They were a tough crowd.
In Joshua 1:1-9, God gives Joshua a pep talk! He encourages him with words of purpose, promise, and presence. Joshua must have been afraid. Because three times God says to him, “Be strong and courageous!” The power of God’s word had an impact on Joshua, and he moved forward towards all the challenges that faced him. God’s word in your mind helps you rise to a challenge.
God speaks purpose, promise and presence to Joshua. First, God tells him in verse 6: “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.” God is affirming that Joshua has a purpose. He says to Joshua, you are the one I’ve chosen, the one who is going to lead these people into the promised land.
God has a purpose for each of us. Just like God had a purpose for Joshua, you are no accident, God has plans for you.
Second, God speaks a promise to Joshua in v. 8: “Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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.” If Joshua listens to God, keeps God’s word in mind, he will be prosperous and successful.
The word meditate here also means mutter. God wants Joshua to mutter God’s word, to keep saying it. Mutter it till you memorize it. Be strong and courageous, be strong and courageous, say it for me: Be strong and courageous until it is stuck in your head. Mutter the words and listen to yourself say them.
Because there are other things we say to ourselves when we face a challenge. There are curse words! Then there are things we say like, “This is impossible!” Maybe Joshua was tempted to say, “I wish Moses were here. He would know what to do.” We have all kinds of things that go through our minds and come out of our mouths when we feel unsure. But if we mutter God’s word over and over in good times, it is in our mind and ready for us in challenging times! Joshua might recall verse 8, I will be prosperous and successful. I need to mutter, mutter, mutter, if I follow what God says, I will be prosperous and successful. Mutter God’s word, God’s promise to you.
Third, God speaks his presence to Joshua. In v. 9 God says, “ 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.” There’s a saying that it’s lonely at the top. Joshua is the leader, but he’s not alone. God will be with him wherever he goes.
When I was a kid, I wanted my mom or dad to hold my hand when I went somewhere scary. You may outgrow holding your parent’s hand. In fact, if you are an adult I hope you do! But God holds your hand everywhere you go! Joshua had to face warriors and complaining Israelites and his own question of whether he was a good enough leader. Joshua’s name was “The Lord saves.” He could say to himself: “That’s who I am, someone that the Lord saves! God is with me.” God’s presence was encouragement to him. God’s word in your mind helps you rise to a challenge.
You may not know where God is, but he knows where you are! He is with you.
Joshua successfully led the people into the promised land, through all the challenges. He did so on the strength of God’s word to him.
God’s word can strengthen us to meet the challenges of life. If we take a moment each day to mutter, mutter, mutter, get the doubts out and replace them with God’s word of purpose, promise and presence in our lives, then our minds are made new! We become more hopeful and encouraged as we trust in God.
My challenge for you this week is to take a promise you find in Scripture. It could be 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.” Take that promise and put it on your mirror in your bathroom. Or put it somewhere you will see it each day, several times a day. And say it to yourself when you feel stressed or worried, challenged or alone. Mutter it until you memorize it. Let it renew your mind, as you read and internalize God’s word.
Sometimes life gives you challenge on top of challenge. You need extra help; you need encouragement that God will get you through it all. God’s word, every day, gives you a new mindset. It got Joshua through tremendous challenges. And it can steady you, that you have a purpose, God is present with you, and that God will fulfill his eternal promise to save you in every way. Amen.
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