Be Courageous and Strong and Be Careful

Sermon Notes – June 30 - Be Courageous and Strong and Careful

Joshua 1:1-9

1 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.”

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This Annual Conference of our denomination was the first for Rev Young Jin Cho as our new Bishop. In his address to us Sunday morning he said these words "The Lord is here with us. We are sitting on holy ground. As the presider of this Annual Conference, I feel a sense of awe and I want to do well before the Lord. I want you to have the same sense of the Lord’s presence and seek the will of God in our decision-making." 

I have had the good fortune to have prayed with Rev. Cho alone and in small groups before he became our Bishop. I felt very close to him at that moment and I say to you here and now – that the Lord is here. We are on Holy Ground. As your pastor now for two years I feel a sense of awe and I too want to do well before the Lord. I hope that you have the same sense of the Lord’s presence and seek the will of God in all that we, as a congregation say and do.  That we treat each other with respect. That we acknowledge that we each have our peculiar ways and it is not up to us to judge others. Let he who has no sin cast the first stone against his neighbor.  As God told Joshua – be courageous and be strong. Be confident. We do not need to be certain about all matters, just have the confidence that we are children of God, loved by God and move ahead in our lives. Move ahead across our River Jordan to new opportunities.  

Moses has died. This is a new generation. Things are different now. The mantle of leadership is now in the hands of Joshua. Moses did his part and tried to prepare the next generation for leadership.

God says to Joshua – OK now – listen up. Remember what Moses has taught you. Remember the law that I, your God have given to you. You are to lead this people to new opportunities. Always study the law and practice it whatever you do and wherever you are. I, God will always be with you, I will never leave you. Be strong and courageous. Be very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave to you.

These instructions include the 10 commandments and other laws and commands concerning righteous behavior and thoughts. Do good. Do not harm life. Love your neighbor as you love yourself.  And love God. Honor life that is granted to you as a gift.

Be strong and courageous. I came upon this incredibly touching story of courage the other day about a young boy who was willing to give blood to his older sister who was facing death due to a rare and serous disease. ("On Courage" by Dan Millman from Chicken Soup for the Soul, written and compliled by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen) The doctor explained the situation to the parents and of course to the 5 year old who had the right blood to save his sister’s life. The doctor asked the little boy if he understood and was willing to give blood to his sister to save her life. The little boy took a deep breath and said – Yes, I’ll do it if it will save my sister’s life.-  As the transfusion progressed, he lay in a bed next to his sister and smiled. The color began to return to his sister’s cheeks. Then the little boy’s face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, - Will I start to die right away? – the little boy thought that by giving his blood to his sister would end his own life. And yet he had courage and strength and deep love and compassion. Even unto death.   

Most of us, regardless of age may not ever be in similar situation. But, courage and strength ultimately can be found in our faith because in that faith we feel safe. Assured that God loves us. That does not take away fear, or hurt or anger or doubt. We are allowed our times where we feel these emotions and may feel lost, afraid and alone. But, when we stop and breath and then pray – any kind of prayer, even when we might yell at God – when we stop and breath and acknowledge God in our lives we slowly turn and feel the arms of embrace. The embrace may come from a family member, a friend or even a stranger – but God has listened and through our human family God has responded.    

Be courageous and strong and be careful. Careful – to be full of care. Be full of care in your ways. In your thoughts and actions.   We each have our Jordan River crossings. Joshua knew his decisions would impact the lives of others. And we too impact the lives of others as we journey and cross the Jordan River. With God as our guide, expressed through the laws of old and the life of Jesus as our example, may we journey well and be strong and courageous and full of care. Amen.