Joshua 1: You Should Succeed for God

Joshua 1 shows how to succeed for God: cross the Jordan, claim His promises, meditate, proclaim, obey, and acknowledge His presence with courage.


Introduction

Joshua 1 records God’s call to Joshua after Moses’ death and sets the pattern for faithful success: trust God’s presence, claim His promises, obey His Word, and lead God’s people with courage (Joshua 1:1-9). The chapter shows believers today how to move forward from fear and delay to fruitful obedience through God’s unchanging Word and faithful presence (Matthew 28:18-20; Hebrews 13:5-6).

Proposition: You should succeed for God.

By crossing the Jordan (Joshua 1:2, 11)

God commanded Joshua to arise and cross the Jordan with all the people (Joshua 1:2), and Joshua charged the officers, “Prepare your provisions… for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan” (Joshua 1:11). This pictures the believer’s decisive break from the wilderness of sin and doubt. In Christ we have died to sin and been raised to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4). We put off the old self and put on the new (Colossians 3:9-10). We crucify the flesh with its passions and desires and walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 24; Romans 8:13). Success begins when we stop circling in unbelief and step forward in faith at God’s word (Hebrews 3:12, 19; 4:1-3).

By claiming God’s promises (Joshua 1:3, 6, 13-15)

God guaranteed Joshua that every place the sole of his foot would tread had already been given (Joshua 1:3), rooted in God’s oath to the fathers (Genesis 26:3; Exodus 6:4). Joshua was to lead the people to inherit the land (Joshua 1:6) and remind the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh of the rest and land the Lord had promised (Joshua 1:13-15). God makes the promises; His people must go in and possess what He provides. In Christ all God’s promises find their Yes (2 Corinthians 1:20). God has promised us victory over the power of sin in our lives (Romans 6-7).We draw near, stand firm, and labor because God is faithful to His promises (Hebrews 10:22-24; 1 Corinthians 15:58).

By acknowledging God’s presence (Joshua 1:5, 9)

God promised Joshua that no man would be able to stand before him, for He would never leave him or forsake him (Joshua 1:5). He commanded, “Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9). Faith in God’s presence is the source of courage. Hebrews 13:5-6 instructs us to be content and not fear man, because the Lord has said He will never leave nor forsake us. God dwells in the believer through faith (Ephesians 3:17). The disciples became bold to proclaim the gospel after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:31). If you are going to succeed, you must acknowledge God’s presence and rest in His abiding nearness.

By meditating on God’s Word (Joshua 1:7-8)

God charged Joshua to be strong and very courageous by keeping the Book of the Law, turning neither right nor left, and to meditate on it day and night so that he would do all that is written and find good success (Joshua 1:7-8). Meditation fuels obedience; obedience yields success in God’s terms. Believers let the word of Christ dwell richly within, shaping thought, affection, and action (Colossians 3:16; Psalm 1:1-3; James 1:25). Courage grows where Scripture governs.

By proclaiming God’s Word to others (Joshua 1:10-15)

After receiving God’s charge, Joshua spoke to the officers to prepare the camp and stirred the eastern tribes to help their brothers until all received their inheritance (Joshua 1:10-15). Having heard, he spoke—so must we. We exhort one another daily so that none is hardened by the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13). We hold fast the confession of our hope and stir one another up to love and good works (Hebrews 10:23-25). Faithful proclamation multiplies courage and moves God’s people forward together.

By obeying God’s Word (Joshua 1:7, 16-18)

True success requires doing what God commands. Joshua was told to do all the Law (Joshua 1:7), and the people pledged full obedience, warning that the rebel would face death while urging Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:16-18). For believers, hearing without doing deceives (James 1:22). Love for Christ shows in obedience (John 14:15). God’s presence—“I will not leave you or forsake you”—anchors courageous obedience wherever He sends us (Joshua 1:5, 9; Matthew 28:20).

Invitation

Joshua 1 shows that true success comes only through God’s presence, promises, and Word. Yet our greatest problem is sin, which separates us from God and keeps us in defeat (Romans 3:23). We cannot enter His blessing by our own strength. Just as Israel needed Joshua to lead them into the promised land, we need Jesus Christ, the greater Joshua, to lead us into eternal life. Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross, paying the penalty of death that we owed (1 Peter 2:24). He rose again in victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Through Him we are forgiven, delivered from condemnation, and given eternal inheritance (Romans 8:1-2, 17). God calls you to turn from sin, believe in Christ’s finished work, and call on His name for salvation (Romans 10:9-13). He promises to save, indwell, and never leave those who trust Him. Will you acknowledge His presence, rely on His promises, and enter into the eternal rest He gives?

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