3/5/2021 Joshua 1:10-11

“Faithful obedience” 

SCRIPTURE

Joshua 1:10 Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel 

OBSERVATION 

Summary 
Joshua obeyed immediately as God instructed. 

Who is God 
God works through the obedience of man. 

APPLICATION 

Joshua, who was commanded by God to conquer Canaan, did not delay. Immediately he obeyed and  delivered the command of God to the officers of Israelites.  Joshua is faithfully delivering orders for the war to conquor Canaan without considering his position or the response of the people. What a faithful servant of God he is! .Being faithful to God means being obedient to His word. It is to obey without objection, without questioning and without delay. How difficult it must be for Joshua to deliver such a command of God.  God tells them to cross the Jordan River.  But how can they cross the river of overflowing water without any tunnels or bridges or ships at that time? It would have sounded absurd. However, Joshua did not hesitate to obey.  There was no delay. In addition, the Canaanites had already settled on the land for  a long time, who had quite a developed culture. They  already had advanced construction technology to build a castle as huge as the Jericho wall at that time. The discovery of many silver and bronze tools in Jericho shows that their weapons were very developed. Joshua could have wonder how the Israelites, the nomadic people who only lived in tents, could fight against the Canaanites. That is why God told Joshua repeatedly to be strong and bold. Even if he could fight, Joshua might have not been sure for these stiff -necked Israelites could follow him to fight. 

However, since God has strengthened him through His promises, Joshua took a very bold action. He was truly a faithful leader who obeyed God without delay, without making excuse of difficult situation. How do I obey God and His word? 

  • Sin to avoid, I repent of some occasions of my delayed obedience to God and His words . 
  • Promise to hold, God works on human obedience. 
  • Action to take place, Obey all the words of God without throwing up. 

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, I want to learn from Joshua about his faithful obedience.  Help me carry out the mission to lead one million souls to Christ like Joshua, who carried out the mission of conquering Canaan faithfully.

3/4/2021 Joshua 1:1-9

“The vision to win more souls for God”

SCRIPTURE

JOSHUA 1:6
Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them

OBSERVATION 

Summary 
God gives the vision to conquer Canaan to Joshua and gives words of promise, courage and encouragement. 

Who is God 
• God commands us to conquer this world. 
• God is with those who fulfill their mission from God. 
• God gives dreams and visions. 

APPLICATION 

Joshua is the story of conquering Canaan. The mission given to us is to eventually conquer this world in the name of Jesus Christ. Today’s text records how Joshua conceived the vision to conquer Canaan. The Holy Spirit gives us dreams and visions. God gave vision to Joshua, who was in despair and fear when Moses died.  “No longer grieve over Moses’ death, but rise with all the people and go to Canaan. ” Joel 2:28 says that dreams and visions are given to the old and the young.  Moses was given the vision of Exodus at the age of 80. Even though I am getting aged,  I believe God will still give me His dream. I pray that God will give me a dream and vision that I need to fulfill after retirement. Don’t give up and be discouraged just because I am getting older. I will continue to hold on the vision to lead 1 million souls to Christ. 

Those who conceive dreams and visions must be strong and bold in their minds. Stand firm! If the dream is clear, it will not be shaken by any difficulties. Dreams break through obstacles and adversity. For those who dream to conquer Canaan, the overflowing Jordan River or the towering Jericho wall cannot  be obstacles, but is only a way to lead them to Canaan. Age and physical weakness are no obstacles to achieving God’s vision. When I am weak, He is strong. Be strong and bold. Do not focus on age, but the vision.  When we hold onto a dream, the dream will hold onto us. Now is the time when  have to hold on to vision more tightly than before. Do my best and make every effort to win  one more  soul for the Lord 

  • Sin to avoid: Do not make excuse of age limit or physical weakness in fulfilling the vision to lead one more soul to the Lord. 
  • Promise to hold, God is always with me 
  • Action to take place, Do my best and make every effort to win  one more  soul for the Lord 

PRAYER

Thank you, Father God and the Holy Spirit for giving me a dream. I will pray for all the people on Earth to come to the Lord. Grant us the fire of revival to lead one million souls to the Lord through our church. Give me physical and spiritual strength and boldness to overcome the limit of age.