The Promise Of God

        “Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in front of all Israel, "Be strong and have strength of heart. For you will go with this people into the land the Lord has promised to their fathers to give them. And you will bring them in to take it.   The Lord is the One Who goes before you. He will be with you. He will be faithful to you and will not leave you alone. Do not be afraid or troubled.”          Deuteronomy 31:7.8 NLV

   Courage, is to be calmly dependent upon God.  Moses brought Israel to the brink of the Promised Land.  Now, Joshua will bring them across the Jordan River on dry land into Canaan. Only Joshua and Caleb had the faith that Israel could conquer the armies in the new promised land.

Read:  Numbers 27:15-23  and  Joshua 1:1-18  

I.  God Is Faithful In His Promise

            Genesis12:1-4;   Genesis 15:18-21;   Genesis 17:4-8

*  God had made a promise over 400 years earlier to Abraham

*  Moses had spoken with God face to face

*  however, even Moses grew frustrated by Israel’s unbelief

*  they constantly fell back into disobedience and rebellion.

            Numbers 13:27-33  but  Joshua said. “let’s go at once...”

*  now, God speaks to Joshua directly and gives him instruction

v 2  arise, get up, cross over and experience my promise

v.5  He reminds Joshua of a very important truth- depend upon God

*  just because Moses died did not mean God’s plan would also die

            James 1:16,17  He will always remain the same

II.  God Is Faithful In His Presence

*  The children of Israel knew that God was with and talked to Moses

vs 5,9  now God reassures Joshua that He would be with him also

*  God says to Joshua, don't be overwhelmed , anxious, or afraid

*  do we see the daily faithfulness of God working in our lives?

*  or/   do we also mutter and complain as Israel did?

*  God says to us, I have bound myself to you through your faith 

     in the resurrection of  your redeemer, MY Son, Jesus Christ

*  this is God’s covenant with us:

I know what you will be going through and, I will be there with you!