Joshua 1:1-10
Josh 3:15
Isaiah 26:3
The bible’s account of God, or the story of God speaking to Joshua after the death of Moses, is well-known to many of us (Amen?).
We read in God’s word, how Joshua was instructed to be “strong and courageous.” For he was to lead the Israelites out of the desert, across the Jordan and into the promised land.
Joshua 1:6
6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
God made sure that Joshua got the message for it is mentioned 4 times in verse 1-20.
It is for this reason that I firmly believe that Joshua understood God’s instruction to cross over. To enter and possess the promised land… Joshua never argued or debated with God, Church! Not even once.
You see Church, God’s instructions to us all, are not negotiable, it is set in stone!
You see church, Joshua understood the importance of total obedience and commitment to the call of God on his life… and so should we, church!
The instruction to Joshua was loud and clear, church… “Moses my servant is dead, arise get
(1) out of the wilderness,
(2) cross the Jordan and
(3) enter and possess the land that I have sworn to your fore-fathers!!”
Tonight I know and I’ve sensed this since I’ve started preparing for tonight, that God through the power of the Holy Spirit, is saying to many: “Arise!… Get out of your wilderness, cross your Jordan and enter and possess the promises I have for you!”
A place of abundance, a place of more than enough,
a place of overflow… enter and possess!
When God said to Joshua: “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, arise”, meaning that is time to cut your ties with the past and move on…
And as we enter into the early stages of this new year, I have such an over whelming sense in my heart that God is saying to many that it is time to forget about what happened in the past, yes do not even dwell or ponder upon the successes of the past, but ARISE, ENTER and POSSESS!
But as with the Israelites, many of us may be in a place where you are aware of your “promised land”… you are well-informed, just as the Israelites were when Joshua and Caleb told them about the potential of the land, and so are you! The story was told around camp fires and the children sat and listed to it…
You hear sermon upon sermon about the plans God have for you (Jeremiah 29:11) ?? and you’re not ignorant to it, you’re just not living in it!! Eina or Amen
Please realize tonight church, that what prevented the Israelites from entering and possessing, was an obstacle called the Jordan river!
And tonight we may have people who have obstacles or an obstacle of note, that is preventing you from entering…
Joshua 3:15 says that when it was time for the Israelites to cross over, the Jordan was in full flood!
It wasn’t a calm stream, but a raging mass of water… the bible says that at that particular time, at Gilgad, the river that was normally just 30m wide, was actually 1,6km wide!
And tonight, you may be able to relate to this… that you would so much want to enter into your promised land, but the raging river of doubt, fear, unbelieve, worry, anxiety and compromise is in full flood.
Or maybe the river of a health issue, a broken relationship, a struggling marriage or financial difficulties are in full flood and raging in your life right now and even the thought of it is making you cringe right now…
But God is saying to us all tonight… “the time is now, arise, enter and posses.” (I have this on high authority).
It was during my research on this matter, that I’ve realized that it was “humanly” impossible to cross the Jordan when the Israelites did!
But the fact is, that God’s people crossed the Jordan, into the promised land! For it was God’s timing and God’s timing is perfect!
And it was God’s time to display and demonstrate His power and majesty to His people; to prove to them that He is was and always will be Jehovah God, the only True, Supreme and Eternal God!
The fact that the whole nation crossed over the Jordan, into their promised land was also an opportunity for God’s people, to show their faith and trust in God. They had peace about this:
Isaiah 26:3 (Read). 3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
They believe that God was faithful to His word, and that God can be trusted!
The question tonight to us all is simply this:
“Are you trusting God enough right now, to take that bold step of faith, to ignore the sound of the raging river and to enter and possess your promised land?”
It’s time to break camp, church! It’s time to pack up and leave the desert; you’ve been wondering in it for way too long! (Child of God).
Realize, that it is on God’s heart for you, to live in the promise of John 10:10… that you may have life and life to the fall; the abundant life, of your promised land. Amen.
Pray for those who are serious about crossing the Jordan’s, those who are serious and determined and committed to: “Enter and possess”.
Joshua 1:1-10
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ minister,
2 Moses My servant is dead. So now arise [take his place], go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land which I am giving to them, the Israelites.
3 Every place upon which the sole of your foot shall tread, that have I given to you, as I promised Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon to the great river Euphrates—all the land of the Hittites [Canaan]—and to the Great [Mediterranean] Sea on the west shall be your territory.
5 No 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 fail you or forsake you.
6 Be strong (confident) and of good courage, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.
8 This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.
9 Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying,
Joshua 3:15
15 And when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan and the feet of the priests bearing the ark were in the brink of the water—for the Jordan overflows all its banks throughout the time of harvest—
Isaiah 26:3
3 You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
Deuteronomy 30:19 Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)
19 I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live
