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GIVING

LOOKING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD

4 January 2021
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LOOKING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD

Speaker: Fred Sigle

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 SUNDAY LESSON, 1/3/2021
 
LOOKING BACK & LOOKING AHEAD
Joshua 1:1-11
 
The year 2020 is finally behind us and the new year of 2021 has begun with high hopes, dreams, and prayers.
For most of us 2020 has been a difficult year, to say the least.   It all began with high hopes of a new “2020 vision”, but it quickly became one of the most challenging years in our lifetime.   Have you learned anything from it?   Have you grown closer to your family; taking them less for granted?   Have you become more committed to God and spiritual things?  Are you reading your Bible more?  Do you have a new perspective on life?
As Joshua is readying to lead the Hebrews across the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the Lord reminds him of where they have been and where they are going.  For forty-years the children of Israel have wandered in the wilderness.  The first generation of those who followed Moses as they left Egypt where their ancestors had been enslaved for 400 years, were not allowed to enter “the land flowing with milk and honey” that God had promised to them because of their lack of faith.  Only Joshua and Caleb of that generation were allowed to enter because of their faith in God’s promise.  As Joshua is preparing to enter, God wants him to be “strong and courageous”, because He will be with them in the new land.  Yes, there will be challenges awaiting them but God has already paved way for their victory, if they only have faith.
Joshua 1:1-11

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’”