Don Graham Revival Ministries

"The Source of Strength"

Joshua 1:1-9

"Moses my servant is dead, now therefore arise, go..." (v.2)

With these words Joshua is summoned to assume the task of being the successor of Moses. What an assignment! How would you like to fill the shoes of Moses? While certainly not perfect, God had said of Moses, "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face." (Deut. 34:10) Some shoes to fill—he knew Godface to face. Augustine said, "If it is true that no man can see God and live, then let me die!" Do you share that sentiment?

Often when a spiritual giant in our life dies or is otherwise taken away from us we can be easily devastated. We need always to remember that, "God's workers may die, but that does not end God's work. God will change hands to show that whatever instrument He uses, He is not tied to any." Surely God may bury His workmen but His work goes on!

Such was the plan of God, but the magnitude of His assignment was overwhelmingly frightening to Joshua. Knowing that, God patiently and tenderly admonishes His frightened servant to, "Be strong and of a good courage." (v.6) So strategic and critical it is for Joshua to face and deal with his fear that God admonishes him three times over to ...be strong...] (vs. 6,7,9) Does God simply mutter some pious platitudes to only further frustrate His scared servant? Of course not! Rather, God sandwiches between His three admonitions to be strong a revelation of where that strength will come from. What is the source of strength? The Word of God! (v.8) "This book of the law..." The secret and source of all strength is in God's Word. With regard to the Scriptures, there must be—

I. COMPLIANCE TO GOD'S WORD

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth..." (v.8) We must bring all of our life under the order of the Word of God and comply with its every precept. A few years back my doctor told me that I was a "non-compliant" patient. He startled me and initially angered me. Later I had to admit I was angry because he told me the truth. How many of us respond to the Great Physician the same way? We don't comply with His instructions for good spiritual health and yet wonder why we are so weak and fitful. Those instructions for good spiritual well-being are found in the Word and we must comply with every word. We must not let that Word depart out of our mouth but hear and heed.

II. REMEMBRANCE OF GOD'S WORD

"...but thou shalt meditate therein day and night..." (v.8) As we memorize the Word of God and meditate upon it, we allow that Word to seep into every fiber of our being and spread its fragrance throughout all of life. Meditation is the key. Memorization facilitates meditation. This is to be done "day and night" and it is impossible to go around with a Bible in your hand all day. But as you commit the Word to memory, throughout the day you can bring it up, reflect upon it, mull over it, ruminate upon it, examine and analyze it—that's meditation.

By so doing we are bringing the Word to our remembrance all the day long. The blessed man of Psalm One is one whose "...delight is in the law of the Lord and upon His law doth he meditate both day and night." Paul told young Timothy, "Meditate upon these things." (I Timothy 4:15) David said, "When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches." The Word of God constantly wafting its way through our mind and soul day and night is the secret of the source of strength.

III. OBEDIENCE TO GOD'S WORD

"...that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written..." (v.8) What we read we must obey, having heard we must perform. Speaking of Jesus, Mary, His mother, said to the disciples, "Whatsoever He saith to you, do it!" We must obey! We must do it! We must do what we're told to do, when we're told to do it and do it with the right heart attitude! For "...to obey is better than sacrifice..." (I Samuel 15:22) Peter said, "Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth..." (I Peter 1 :22) Obedience produces purity. Pure people are strong people. Impure people are weak people. Surely this is the source of strength.

IV. CONVEYANCE OF GOD'S WORD

When there is compliance, remembrance and obedience to the Word of God we find that God's Word conveys. . .

A. The Blessing of the Way

"...for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous. . . ." (v.8)

This is God's guarantee for success! Interested? Sure you are. who wouldn't be? For you see this is not the "name it claim it" mentality of this superficially shallow generation nor does it portray a God who is to manipulated with our puny pettiness and endless greed. It is God’s promise that He will Insure success to the man who bathes himself in the Word of God. Why don't you take Him up on it? I promise you'll never regret it.

B. The Blessing of the Word

"...and then thou shalt have good success..." (v.8)

Yes, God is interested in you becoming successful. He wants you to be strong. We are commanded to "...be strong in the Lord..." (Ephesians 6:10) How? By putting on "the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11) and the part of that armor you must not miss is "the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God." (Ephesians 6:17) In summary, hear the Psalmist praise the Scriptures, the Word of God is. . .

Powerful - "converting the soul"
Pure - "enlightening the eye"
Preventative - "by them is thy servant warned"
Plain - "making wise the simple"
Permanent - "enduring forever"
Pleasing - "rejoicing the heart"
Precious - "more desired than gold"

Psalm 19:7-11