Just work hard – Preaching
Preaching Outline on Joshua 1:7 – “Only strive and be of good courage to do according to all the law which my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may conduct yourself wisely wherever you go.”
Introduction to Joshua 1:7
Throughout the ages, God has strengthened the path of his people, pointing out the way in which they should walk and obeying his ordinances. At all times, so as not to go astray.
Development
After forty years of walking in the desert towards Canaan, the land that God had promised his people, the Lord called Moses and told him that Joshua would lead the people in conquering the land.
The Lord gave Joshua great promises and assured him that, as he had been with Moses, using him with power, he would also be with him: “No one will be able to withstand you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not leave you nor forsake you.” Josh 1:5.
Make an effort and be of good cheer
The Lord, knowing all that Joshua was going to face, spoke to him, giving him advice, cautions and recommendations so that he could prudently conduct himself in the land he was going to enter to possess and thus be victorious (Josh 1:7-8).
Three times the Lord tells Joshua to strive and be of good cheer. We really need to strive, because our flesh will never want to wake up at dawn, never want to fast, never want to read God’s word, but with the Holy Spirit in our lives we are strengthened: “…But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom 8:13b.
How many times do we strive to do so many things, but we don’t make the effort to attend services, Bible schools, evangelize lost souls, read God’s Word and have a moment to pray. Serving the Lord should be our greatest joy.
The Lord also told Joshua to be careful to do everything according to the Word and not to deviate from the Word, either to the right or to the left. We can’t serve the Lord “more or less”. We can’t obey only when it’s in our interest, when we want a blessing. On our way to eternal life, we can’t stop and look at what tries to distract us, to divert us from the path to heaven.
What has diverted many from this path?
Instead of listening to the Word of God, they are listening to the oppressions coming from social networks, to conversations that don’t please God… All this is sometimes very beautiful, very funny, but it only distances man from God. But let’s be like Joshua, who believed and obeyed only the Word of God every day of his life.
The Lord told Joshua that by keeping and obeying His Word, he would walk prudently – “that you may conduct yourself prudently”. It was one of the benefits of being careful to do everything according to the Word. To be prudent is to act carefully, turning away from the wrong path. Listening only to the voice of the Lord. Having our minds preserved from evil.
Another recommendation from the Lord was to meditate on the Word day and night (obedience). When our minds are occupied with God’s Word, there is no room for doubt, or bad thoughts, or discouragement. We need to set aside time to read and study the Bible. This must be a habit in our lives.
We need to love the Word of the Lord, the Bible school studies that the Lord has for His church. As we keep these teachings, our hearts will be filled with faith. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Rom 10:17
Conclusion of Joshua 1:7
Joshua was obedient and discovered the mysteries of doing God’s will: he was victorious. As he did with Joshua, today God calls us and says to us: “Be strong and of good courage”.
Let’s keep going, with faith, towards the promised land, the heavenly Canaan that God has prepared for his servants.
Preaching Outline on Joshua 1:7 – “Only strive and be of good courage to do according to all the law which my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may conduct yourself wisely wherever you go.”
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