The Faith of Our Fathers

Joshua 1:1-9

God's Charge to Joshua

1Now it came about after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, that the LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' servant, saying,

2"Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.

3"Every place on which the sole of your foot treads, I have given it to you, just as I spoke to Moses.

4"From the wilderness and this Lebanon, even as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and as far as the Great Sea toward the setting of the sun will be your territory.

5"No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you.

6"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.

7"Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go.

8"This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

9"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

As the baton was passed from Moses to Joshua, God made Joshua realize what a responsibility he had to lead the nation Israel. This day I am concerned that we as a generation coming forward does not take the advice of our forefathers in the faith and is in turn not ready to lead.

There are major detours that can happen when we do not invest in the faith and principles of our forefathers.

Our generation thinks that success come from having power, influential contacts, and a relentless go get em' spirit. Though these things can be important, they are not in any way the most essential tools for success. The strategy that God taught Joshua goes against the previous criteria mentioned.

God said that if Joshua was going to succeed he must:

1) Be strong and courageous, because the task ahead was not going to be easy.
2) Obey God's Word (or law).
-The most important thing a Christian can do, besides your relationship with Christ, is live a righteous life for the sake of the furtherment gospel.
3) Constantly read and study God's Word (or law).

Follow these steps and you will have the ability to live a life worthy of the calling of Christ Jesus our Lord to lead his church.

We must be pious men and women ready to lead...

The baton is being passed to our generation in order for us to rise up and lead the church of the living God. Are you ready or will you drop the baton? Godspeed!