Joshua 1:10-18
DIGW – Tom RenewIf you are of a “certain age”, you will remember the amazing life and accomplishments of a man named Nelson Mandela. Through his courage and personal sacrifices, he single handedly brought the world’s undivided attention to South Africa’s inhuman practice of Apartheid. His courageous stand against the unjust domination of black South Africans by whites changed an entire society and he was later elected as that country’s first black President. Most of us can remember the tragic costs paid by Mandela but the strength and resolve that empowered him should not be ignored. His words fit well with our scripture from Joshua: Mandela said “I have learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel fear but he who conquers that fear to find peace.” Nelson Mandela found piece but he struggled and fought bravely to enter into that piece. As Pastor Chris taught us on Sunday, Joshua also needed to be courageous in order to usher Israel into its peace and rest. That peace and rest, though, would come only after a time of struggle and intense battle as they entered the Promised Land.
God had promised Abraham that all nations of the world would be blessed by Abraham’s descendants if they would only obey Him (Gen. 22:18). We should keep that in mind as we study the book of Joshua. Israel’s purpose was not some self-initiated world domination; it was the fulfillment of God’s promise.
In this first chapter, Joshua laid out God’s plan to the leaders of Israel and he clearly stated that it was God who would be giving the land to them (v. 11). This campaign was much bigger than a military land war. This was only the first step in God’s ultimate plan to bring His people to Himself. His ultimate plan was to give them rest (vv. 13, 15).
Hebrews chapter 4:8-13 actually paints this much larger picture for us.
8 For if Joshua had given them rest; God would not have spoken later about another day. 9 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; 10 for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his. 11 Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience. 12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. 13 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. 14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
Verse 8 points out that the rest Joshua leads Israel to find is “incomplete”. We have a rest to enter, as Israel did, and yet our issues continue to be their issues; faith and obedience. Like Joshua, we can be filled with strength and courage because we know that the Lord our God is with us, and we can approach His throne to receive grace and mercy when we need it (v. 16).
Just as God rested after the creation of the world, we await the time when all our striving and efforts, every last task, is completely finished. Notice that between the lines of this passage lays an important truth for us: we aren’t done working for God. There is much yet to be done before we finally rest.
What is your battle? What work remains to be done for the Kingdom of God? Everyone has their personal source of frustration that tires us to the core of our very souls. Here’s a great source of hope for you: God will give you rest. And we aren’t helplessly waiting for it. Hebrews tells us that we can begin to enter that rest by drawing close to Jesus Christ, even now. And just as Israel wiped out the evil nations in the Promised Land, you can begin to rid your life of the evil that weighs you down. You too can clear the way for entering the Lord’s eternal rest.
