MIGHTY

        Do you want to be a mighty man or woman of God? I know I do. In our home group Bible study, we will be looking at the Book of Joshua. There are three things I have noticed about Joshua, which made him a mighty man of God.

1. He believed God

                In Joshua 1:2-3 (NIV), God said to Joshua, "“Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.  I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.”

             You know the story. Twelve spies went to explore the land. Ten came back with a bad report – the cities are fortified, there are giants, and we’re like grasshoppers in their sight.
           
              Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report. I like the Message translation of Numbers 14:6-9: “Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, members of the scouting party, ripped their clothes and addressed the assembled People of Israel: “The land we walked through and scouted out is a very good land—very good indeed. If God is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land that flows, as they say, with milk and honey. And he’ll give it to us. Just don’t rebel against God! And don’t be afraid of those people. Why, we’ll have them for lunch! They have no protection and God is on our side. Don’t be afraid of them!”
           
           Joshua believed God would give them the land. All they had to do was believe what He said, not be afraid, and go in and take the land.

          At the end of his life, in Joshua 23:14 (MSG), he said, “As you can see, I’m about to go the way we all end up going. Know this with all your heart, with everything in you, that not one detail has failed of all the good things God, your God, promised you. It has all happened. Nothing’s left undone—not so much as a word.”

2. He sought God
 
         Even after Moses left the Tent of Meeting, the Scripture says Joshua would continue to stay. “So the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. And he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, did not depart from the tabernacle” (Exodus 33:11 NKJV).

      When Moses and the elders of Israel ascended Mount Sinai to see God and eat in His presence, Joshua was with them. And as Moses’ assistant, he and Moses ascended still further. Exodus 24:16 (NKJV) says, “Now the glory of the Lord rested on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days...” Joshua experienced the glory of God.

        Deuteronomy 34:9 (NKJV) says, “Now Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him...” The Holy Spirit passed from Moses to Joshua to enable him to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

3. He obeyed God

        a)  God gave Joshua a strange battle plan for taking the city of Jericho. March around it once for six days. On the seventh day, march around seven times. Have seven priests blow the trumpets as they walk in front of the Ark of the Covenant. Then have them give one long blast on the ram's horn. The people were to shout and the city wall would collapse. When that happened, they were to go in and take the city.
       I wonder what went through Joshua's mind when God gave him this plan. He didn't let his reasoning get in the way. He did what God told him to do and the result was victory.

    b) “Joshua renewed the Covenant at Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim. “Joshua then read to them all the blessings and curses Moses had written in the Book of Instruction.  Every word of every command that Moses had ever given was read to the entire assembly of Israel, including the women and children and the foreigners who lived among them” (Joshua 8:34-35 NLT)   

    c) Everything God commanded Moses to do, Joshua did. Joshua’s obedience encouraged the Israelites to follow the Lord. “And Israel served the Eternal faithfully for as long as Joshua lived, and then throughout the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had seen all the mighty things that the Eternal One did for Israel” (Joshua 24:31 VOICE). 

CLOSING PRAYER
           
         Dear Lord Jesus, I want to be a mighty woman (man) of God like Joshua – to love you with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength, and my neighbour as myself. Enable me, in the power of Your precious Holy Spirit, to believe Your Word, seek Your ways, and obey Your commands. As I follow You, I expect to see walls coming tumbling down – in my own life and in the lives of others and the power of darkness to be replaced by Your light as ground is take  for the Kingdom of God. I pray this in the precious Name of Jesus, Amen.