Lessons for a New Life

The Book of Joshua has a connection back to Genesis 12 where God told Abraham to get thee out to the land and go into another land. The story of the land is central to the first five books of the Bible. God comes time and time again in sovereign grace to make the promise of the land live on. Here now in Joshua, we see the wilderness generation has come to an end and it was time for Joshua to arise from a life of service and enter a life of leadership. He is told: "Go and posses the promises with the Lord's presence." There was a new phase and a new start. There are lessons for us in this new start

Lessons for a New Phase in the Life of God's people.

1. The reliability of God's Word.

In God's Word, the children of Israel had the promise of a land. The promises made to Abraham are still promises to God's people

• the promise is certain
• the promise is covenantal
• the promise is communicated

Gods word is reliable in all the phases in the life of God's people

2. The responsibility of God's people

The certainty of the promises of God don't nullify our responsibility but reinforce our duty

• remember we live under authority
• remember we need bravery
• remember the importance of unity

3. The reassurance of God's presence

Fears assail the people of God. It is easier to see giants than to see God. Unbelief is strong. As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee. God's promise is true.

• it is true in the great commission
• it is true in general Christian living