Be Strong and Courageous:
Moses, My Servant, is Dead
My next sermon series is taken from the book of Joshua; I’ve entitled it Be Strong and Courageous after the encouraging message God gave Joshua. We will be exploring leadership, God’s promises, God’s presence, God’s leadership, obedience, courage, and other related subjects. I encourage you to read through Joshua during the course of these lessons.
Joshua was a pupil and protégé of Moses. The Bible calls him his “aide.”
Exodus 24:13 Then Moses set out with Joshua his aide and Moses went up on the mountain of God. Exodus 33:11 The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. Numbers 11:28 Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ aide since youth, spoke up and said, “Moses, my lord, stop them!” Joshua 1:1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide….
Theirs was a mentor/mentee relationship. It evidently began when Joshua was very young.
Have you ever had a relationship like that? I have had several. Alvie Tate, an elder at my home congregation, encouraged and equipped me to lead singing, give Wednesday night devotionals, and teach class. My Mom and Dad encouraged and supported me. My paternal grandmother, Nanny, was particularly encouraging. I have had several teachers throughout my educational years who greatly influenced me: Claudia Murphy, Dowell Flatt, Winford Claiborne, Clyde Woods, Carol Osburn, Tommy Garrison, Evertt Huffard, and Dave Bland. Various church leaders have directed and supported me through the years: Ray Cox, Everett Gray, Bill Stough, Calvin Crim, Joe Cooper, Dennis Barr, Mike Osborne and, of course, the elders here at the Boise church. Some of these relationships were more than just an influence to me; they were truly mentor/mentee in their scope.
Mentor relationships, however, are meant to be temporary. Eventually, the pupil becomes the master or a master of what is taught. This is evident in the relationship between Barnabas and Saul in the book of Acts. Sometimes the mentor is taken away from us by death or distance. It is also the case that some mentors, being human, sin and fall from their influential position.
We feel hurt, confused and directionless when a mentor suddenly is taken from us. Suddenly or not, flying solo for the first time can fill us with fear and anxiety. Joshua is in this lonely place as his story begins.
Joshua 1:2 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.
Notice how many times God encourages him in the first few lines of this book.
Joshua 1:5 As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Joshua 1:6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people. Joshua 1:7 Be strong and very courageous. Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.
What do you do when faced with a daunting task without your usual support system? I will discuss four strategies in my lesson Sunday. (1) FOCUS — Stay focused on what God has led you to do. (2) PREPARE – You have been trained; use your training to get ready. (3) TRUST – God has promised to be with you; trust his leading and provision. (4) OBEY – Do what God has commanded you to do.
Be Strong and Courageous! Joey
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