For the next few Sundays, we will be in the Old Testament Book of Joshua. Old Testament scholars consider this book to be a “historical narrative.”[1] And, it certainly is an excellent history book. But, in the Book of Joshua, the Holy Spirit not only weaves an accurate history of the Israelites’ entry into the Promised Land, but He gives us even more. We can see embedded within the historical narrative some valuable spiritual lessons that sprang forth as this history played out. These timeless lessons are just as important today as they were in the past. In fact, this is evident in the very first chapter of the book.
Let me give you a little background information as we begin the Book of Joshua. Moses had recently died while the Israelites were camped on the eastern bank of the Jordan River. Across the river was the land of the Canaanites. That was the land God had promised to the descendants of Abraham five centuries before this.[2] Now, God raised Joshua as the leader of his people. The time frame was 40 years after the Israelites had been rescued by God when He parted the Red Sea and allowed them to escape from Egyptian slavery. Most historians believe that this would have been around 1400 to 1200 B.C.[3] It was then that God turned to Joshua and told him: 2 “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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west.” Joshua 1:2-4 (NIV)
Now, I imagine that when Joshua heard this he may have thought to himself, “How can I fill the sandals of someone as great as Moses? Am I really up to the task?” But, you see, God never gives us a task without telling us how to accomplish it. And so, God calmed any fears that Joshua may have had when He told him this: 6 “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS.” Joshua 1:6-7a (NIV) That phrase, “BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS,” appears four times in chapter 1, thus, emphasizing how important that is when you are faced with “crossing the Jordan.” You see, the actual Jordan River that separated the Israelites from the Promised Land wasn’t particularly wide compared to the larger rivers in our country. But, when the rains came and the waters started overflowing its banks, the Jordan River was a dangerous one all the same. So, unless you were strong and courageous, you could end up drowning when attempting to cross the stormy Jordan River.
God’s message to Joshua is the same message He has for Christians today when we must cross our “Jordan Rivers.” We all have our “Jordans” to cross: They are not rivers with raging rapids, but they can be just as troubling. They can be “rivers” of worry about serious health problems, financial problems, marital problems, employment problems, emotional problems, drug and alcohol problems, the problems of broken relationships—the list of these “troubling waters” goes on and on. You can drown spiritually in such dangerous “waters” if you are not strong and courageous. So, how can you be strong and courageous?
Well, to be strong, athletes must carefully watch their diets. They eat healthy foods in order to help develop strong muscles and sound bodies. To cross our “Jordan Rivers”—those difficult and trying times in our lives—we too need to “eat healthy.” Take, for example, the lesson we can learn from the diet of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. They were four young Jewish men who had been taken into Babylonian exile. The Babylonians were very clever administrators who were always looking for talented people to serve their king. These four Jewish men showed an extremely high aptitude for intelligence and healthiness. So, they were being trained in the ways of the Babylonians to serve in the king’s court. But, when they were offered the rich, fattening, alcohol-laden diet reserved for such students in the king’s service, they refused to partake of it. Rather, they made a challenge to their Babylonian counterparts. Daniel and his three friends would consume a vegetarian and water diet for ten days, while the Babylonians would continue on with the delectable, yet unhealthy, diet from the king’s table. So, what were the results once the ten days were up? It was no contest. The Bible tells us: “At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king.” Daniel 1:15 (NLT2)
There is a great lesson in this. It has little to do with physical food, but is quite pertinent to “spiritual food.” Daniel’s contest with the men of the Babylonian royal court is symbolic of this: Today, if we are to be “strong and courageous” Christians, then we must be “spiritual athletes” for Christ. Just as athletes train and then get out there in the game, Christians must be active for God in the game of life. We can be successful in doing that only if we live on the “food” of His Word. God’s Word must be the food we consume daily to build our spiritual strength. But, the world hates the spiritual food of God’s Word. The world wants you to consume its secular diet prepared in Satan’s kitchens. It’s a worldly diet fed to children starting in pre-school and continuing on through so-called “higher education” in our colleges and universities. Until recently, it’s been the worldly food forced upon adults in the work place as the hate-filled, woke diet of D.E.I. has been crammed down the throats of workers. It’s fed to us daily through liberal news casts, TV shows, movies, social media, etc. But, we need to take a lesson from Daniel and his friends. We need to see such worldly diets for what they are—for they are the polluted, poisoned, filth of this world. Again, it wasn’t solely physical food that was at issue in the Babylonian court. The real issue was whether these four men would be faithful and hold to the LORD’s ways. . . or conform to the ways of the world. Reflecting upon Daniel and his faithful companions, Warren Wiersbe wrote: “According to Romans 12:1-2,[4] ‘con-formers’ are people whose lives are controlled by pressure from without, but ‘transformers’ are people whose lives are controlled by power from within. Daniel and his three friends were transformers: Instead of being changed, they did the changing! God used them to transform the minds of powerful rulers and to bring great glory to His name in a pagan land.”[5] Daniel and his three friends remembered what God told Joshua when He said: 7 “Be STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS. Be careful to OBEY ALL THE LAW MY SERVANT MOSES GAVE YOU; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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.” Joshua 1:7-8 (NIV)
Yes, you will be “prosperous and successful” if you are STRONG IN YOUR FAITH by following God’s ways instead of the corrupt ways of this world. His Word is what we need to feast upon. In this regard, Jesus said: “It is written, ‘MAN SHALL NOT LIVE ON BREAD ALONE, BUT ON EVERY WORD THAT PROCEEDS OUT OF THE MOUTH OF GOD.’” Matthew 4:4 (NASB) The interesting thing is that Jesus was quoting something that Moses told the unfaithful generation of Israelites who were complaining despite God’s provisions for them. Moses wanted them to be strong and courageous too by relying upon God’s promises as provided in His Word. But the original generation who came out of Egypt had some very hard hearts.
Do you know why those Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years? Well, you can be sure that it wasn’t because it would take 40 years to journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. No, the trip from Egypt to Canaan would have normally taken only 14 days—NOT 40 YEARS![6] So, why did it take so long for those Israelites to arrive at their destination on the banks of the Jordan River? The problem was that they had been to the edge of the Promised Land before this. Previously, Moses had led them there. So, why didn’t they cross over the Jordan River on that first occasion? Well, the problem was they didn’t trust in God to sustain them. They didn’t look to God or His faithfulness in the past. In a nutshell—they ignored God’s Word and His promises. Instead, they gave in to their fears when they heard the surveillance report of their own spies who assured them that: 28 “The people living there [in the Promised Land] are powerful, and their towns are large and fortified. . .31 We can’t go up against them! They are stronger than we are! 32 . . . The land we traveled through and explored will devour anyone who goes to live there. All the people we saw were huge. 33 We even saw giants there, the descendants of Anak. Next to them we felt like grasshoppers, and that’s what they thought, too!” Numbers 13:28, 31-33 (NLT2)
Now, it so happens that Joshua and Caleb were part of that same Israelite spy ring and they gave a very different report. With Joshua nodding in approval, Caleb countered by saying: “Let’s go at once to take the land. We can certainly conquer it!” Numbers 13:30 (NLT2) But, the Israelites wouldn’t listen to Caleb or Joshua. They focused on their own weaknesses and their enemies’ strength. They failed to be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS by relying upon the LORD. They never understood that with God on their side, no one could defeat them.
The Israelites failed to understand that God’s promises to Joshua were promises to them as well. We need to realize they are promises to us today. They are promises that give us courage in the face of the “Jordan Rivers” we must cross. So, how can you be courageous? Well, it’s much easier if you realize that you’re not alone. God promises that He’s got your back. And, what are those promises? In Joshua 1:9, God offers His strength to us when He says: “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” (NIV) And, in Joshua 1:5, we are assured of ultimate victory, for God promises us: “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (NIV) Unfortunately, these were promises that the Israelites apparently ignored as they sat there on the banks of the Jordon, trembling in doubt and fear. Instead, they should have adopted the attitude expressed later by the psalmist. They should have been proclaiming: “The LORD is for me; I will not fear; What can man do to me? . . The LORD is my strength and my song; He has given me victory.” Psalm 118:6 (NASB), 118:14 (NLT2) If they had taken up such a mindset, then they could have stepped up to do their part in God’s plan. Ultimately, by kneeling down and praying for the strength and courage necessary to pass through those dangerous waters, they could have faced their foes on the other side. They would have done well to sing something like that country song by Randy Houser which says, “God ain’t gonna do the praying for ya.”[7] That’s right. We are the ones who have to do the praying. We are the ones who must be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS and follow God’s lead by moving forward in faith. But, those unfaithful Israelites Moses was trying to lead just didn’t comprehend that. Consequently, God sent them wandering back into the wilderness of their unbelief until that generation of unbelievers completely died out by the end of 40 years.[8] But, it was during that extended stay in the wilderness that something extraordinary happened.
The Israelites now began to make complaints against Moses and God. They were even dissatisfied with the heavenly manna God provided for food. Nothing satisfied them. Finally, God became fed up with their insolence. And so, He sent poisonous snakes that bit many of them causing them to die. When Moses saw this, he prayed for the people and asked that God rid them of these deadly snakes. In Numbers 21, we find that God responded by telling Moses: “Make a replica of a poisonous snake and attach it to a pole. All who are bitten will live if they simply look at it!” Numbers 21:8 (NLT2) So, that’s exactly what Moses did. He made a snake out of bronze, attached it to a long pole and then raised it up. Miraculously, anyone who looked upon that bronze snake was instantly healed! Now, why did God choose to heal those who were faithful in such a strange way?
Well, in the New Testament, a reference to this incident is found in John’s Gospel when Jesus announced: “As Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.” John 3:14 (NLT2) Here, Jesus indicated that Moses’ bronze snake was a symbol pointing to the time when Jesus Himself would be lifted up on the Cross. That snake on Moses’ pole represented humanity’s terrible sins that Jesus carried with Him as He hung there on that “pole” the Romans erected for His crucifixion. It is that fact that provides us with our STRENGTH AND COURAGE today to persevere no matter how bad things may be in this world. Why?—because for those in Christ, this world is not our home. Rather, our true home awaits us in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. Through Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, our sins were washed away. Thus, Jesus freed us from the curse of sin, making our entry into Heaven possible. Referring to this, Paul told the Church in Galatia, just as he tells us: “When [Christ] was hung on the Cross, He took upon Himself the curse for our wrongdoing.” Galatians 3:13 (NLT2) [9]
Paul’s words to the Galatians were inspired by the Holy Spirit. And so, they are just as trustworthy as God’s encouraging words to Joshua before he crossed over the Jordan. God’s Word is like that—His Word is always true and never fails. But, it’s like I said before, the world hates God’s Word. You see, the prince of this world—Satan[10]—doesn’t want you to be a STRONG AND COURAGEOUS CHRISTIAN. He wants you to be weak cowards like those snake-bitten Israelites whose unbelief barred them from the Promised Land. And so, Satan will do anything within his power to destroy God’s Word in order to keep it from you. But, Satan will not succeed—for as Jesus proclaimed: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” Matthew 24:35 (NIV) Even today, God provides us with little miracles that demonstrate the truth of Jesus’ statement.
For example, in October of last year, in the town of Roswell, New Mexico, there was a terrible fire at a residence of 88-year-old, Ellen Williams Phillips. The fire started in Mrs. Phillips’ garage and quickly spread. Her garage, her car inside the garage and her house were completely destroyed. But, out of all that destruction, Mrs. Phillips remained STRONG AND COURAGEOUS because she found that there was one thing the fire could not destroy. She explained to reporters: “I always put my Bible on the dash of my car on the driver’s side when I go to church. It was in my car in the garage when the fire started.” So, what happened to the Bible in the face of all that destruction? A worker who was helping Mrs. Phillips sift through the rubble found that her car was burned beyond recognition. But, as this worker searched the inside of the car, he found God’s Word was still lying there on the dash. With the exception of some slightly burned edges, Mrs. Phillip’s Bible was still completely intact! Being a Christian, this worker who found the Bible was amazed, but not surprised. He said: “When I saw the Bible was still intact, I felt like that proves that no matter what storms and hardship we go through in life, God’s Word will always prevail and cannot be destroyed.” He indicated that this experience renewed his STRENGTH AND COURAGE in relying upon God’s faithfulness and His promises.[11]
What about you? Do you have that kind of STRENGTH AND COURAGE? They are yours for the asking if you are willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ. Only then can you have the confidence to join with Paul in proclaiming: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) Although this present world may feel like a vast wilderness of misery, you will begin to appreciate what D. L. Moody meant when he said: “Take courage. We walk in the wilderness today and in the Promised Land tomorrow.”[12] Don’t you want to enter that heavenly “Promised Land” and claim that “room” Jesus has prepared especially for you? [13] Just believe and receive the STRENGTH AND COURAGE only God’s Word can provide through the power of the Holy Spirit and the blood of Jesus Christ! If you will place your faith in the Lord, there isn’t any “Jordan River” too stormy for you to cross, no matter what obstacles may appear in your life. Are you in need of God’s strength today? Take courage!—the God who was on the side of Moses and Joshua is on your side as well. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TRUST HIM! [14]
Let us pray.
Darvin Satterwhite, Pastor
Forest Hill Baptist Church
March 2, 2025
©2025 All Rights Reserved as follows:
Anyone is at liberty to use this sermon or any portions thereof for educational or religious purposes, with or without credit. The pastor believes the material presented herein to be true to the teaching of Scripture, and desires to further, not restrict, its potential use as an aid in the study of God’s Word. The publication of this material is a grace ministry of Forest Hill Baptist Church in Louisa, Virginia.
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[1] “Book of Joshua,” Biblehub.com, https://biblehub.com/study/joshua/index.html [accessed February 25, 2025].
[2] Genesis 15:18 “On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, ‘To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates.’” (NASB) See: James Montgomery Boice, Joshua, Paperback ed. (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2006), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 12.
[3] Carson, D. A., ed. Joshua, (2018). NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible. Zondervan.
[4] Romans 12:1-2 1 “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (NASB)
[5] Warren Wiersbe, Be Resolute (Daniel), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 254.
[6] PreachingToday.com, Joshua, https://www.preachingtoday.com/exegesis/joshua/preaching-on-joshua.html (accessed February 27, 2025).
[7] Randy Houser, “Note to Self,” Genius.com, https://genius.com/Randy-houser-note-to-self-lyrics (accessed February 27, 2025).
[8] “Why is a bronze serpent used to save the Israelites in Numbers 21:8-9?” Gotquestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/bronze-serpent.html (accessed February 27, 2025).
[9] “Why is a bronze serpent used to save the Israelites in Numbers 21:8-9?” Gotquestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/bronze-serpent.html (accessed February 27, 2025).
[10] John 12:31 “The time of judgment for the world has come—and the time when Satan, the prince of this world, shall be cast out.” (TLB)
[11] John Graham, “Bible survives fire,” Roswell Daily Record, https://www.rdrnews.com/bible-survives-fire/article_5c257144-f0c8-11ef-83d2-e77bfe3dd0b0.html (February 23, 2025, updated February 25, 2025).
[12] Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899) Edythe Draper, Draper's Book of Quotations for the Christian World, (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1992), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 108-107.
[13] John 14:2 “There are many rooms in my Father's house, and I am going to prepare a place for you. I would not tell you this if it were not so.” (TEV)
[14] Dr. Jeff Schreve. Living in the Light—My Daily Devotional. Thomas Nelson: China (2017), p. 10
