Joshua 1

Divisions:

I. 1:1-9 Joshua receives commands from Lord regarding the crossing of the Jordan into Promised Land with message of “Be strong & courageous!”

II. 1:10-18 Joshua delivers Lord’s commands to officers, Reubenites, Gadites, & ½ tribe of Manasseh

Subject Sentence: Joshua follows Lord’s commands, preparing the Israelites to cross Jordan.

Cause the Audience To (CAT):

• Understand how, only when we focus & keep our eyes on our Lord, will we find the strength, courage, & the enabling to accomplish whatever feat He has asked of us
• Understand that focusing on Him, no on our circumstances (or looking to the right or left), provides us the strength/courage/ability to persevere for Him
• Understand that whatever the circumstances, do not be terrified or discouraged, but focused on Him, trusting His promise to be with you wherever you go.

Application Questions:

• What circumstance currently has me terrified/discouraged and how can I trust God to be with me through it?

I am currently stepping out in faith and embarking on a new business endeavor in photography. I have been researching/praying/thinking/preparing over this for months, and feel that God is truly encouraging me to step out and take a stab at this possibility. However, as I push forward, I am constantly struggling with fear. I keep looking around at the competition & the feelings of inferiority take over. The doubt-filled questions of, "Am I good enough? Am I talented enough? Do I know enough" plague me. I know that my focus does not need to be on this dehabilitating fear, but solely on Him and where He is leading. Being strong and courageous in Him, trusting Him to be at work through this endeavor. I can trust Him by knowing and trusting His faithful character---He is the same today as He was yesterday and as He will be tomorrow.

• What attribute of God can I cling/hold fast to (and focus on) instead of the existing circumstance?

His faithfulness to be there, never forgetting or foresaking...and always equipping.

• Do I fear, and then where do I fear, that the Lord may NOT be with me (in)?

• Am I strong and courageous for the Lord? How can I begin to be so (if not) or grow to be more so?

My delving w/in revealed the knowledge I have of how often I cling more to the desire of wanting to be accepted by others vs proclaiming my love for the Lord courageously. I will proclaim when given a 2nd or 3rd opportunity, but tend to shy away upon being given the 1st opportunity. I pray that I could allow Him to be at work on me in this area, and I would claim His strength & courage to proclaim Him loudly in Love to all I encounter (esp those I am meeting for the first time or unsure of their spiritual thoughts/influences/etc). Whew!