Joshua 1:1-9 (NLT)
After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2
“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the
Jordan River into the land I am giving them. 3 I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ 5
No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. 8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. 9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
1. The Prequel: God’s Covenant Made with God’s Covenant People
Genesis 12:1 — The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.
Exodus 33:1 — Then the Lord said to Moses, “Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your descendants.
Deuteronomy 31:1-3 — When Moses had finished giving these instruction to all the people of Israel,
2 h e said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The Lord has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.
3
But the L
ORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you … Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the L ORD promised.
2. Moses Decommissioned
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Moses is not allowed to enter the Promised Land.
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Worse? Moses will die.
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Is this fair?
3. It’s Personal, BUT It’s Not About Me/You
4. Joshua Commissioned
 God’s redemptive and restorative plan that began in Genesis and continued in Exodus is now beginning a new chapter with Joshua.
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God is faithful.
1. Be Strong and Courageous
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Before Moses Died He Told Joshua and the Israelites
Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT)
— So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the L ORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:7
(NLT)
— Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all

Israel watched, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land …
Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)
— Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the L ORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.
 Not by our own strength, but God’s strength and Divine Wisdom.
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The Lord commands Joshua to be courageous. (Joshua 1:9)
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Courage can be learned and developed. How?
Joshua 1:7-9 (NLT)
— Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.
8
Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
9
This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the L ORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
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Courage is developed through Spiritual Fitness o Read Scripture — Hebrews 4:12 o Prayer — Philippians 4:6-7 o Christian Community — Matthew 18-20 o Quiet Time — Psalm 46:10 o Trust God — Proverbs 3:5-6 o Live Out Your Faith — James 2:26 o Love God and Neighbor — Matthew 22:37-40
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2. The biggest obstacle to achieving courage is FEAR.
 “Do not fear” is the most frequent command given in Scripture.
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365 times! One for each day of the year.
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The Lord’s Prayer
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Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be they name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.