Deuteronomy 31:7-8 – MOVING FORWARD
“And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel,
Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the
land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou
shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before
thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee:
fear not, neither be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8
One of the reasons the Allied Forces won World War II was the invasion of
Normandy. There was tremendous loss of life, but the only way to defeat
Hitler was to move forward.
There are many unsaved people who live all around us. The only way to win
them is to move forward through various means of evangelism.
There are many issues confronting our churches and families. The only way
to solve them is by moving forward under God’s direction.
In our text Moses is getting ready to pass off the scene. He is turning over
leadership of Israel to Joshua, and challenging Joshua to move forward.
JOSHUA’S CONDUCT – “Be strong and of a good courage… fear not, neither be
dismayed.”
Moving forward requires that a Christian’s character be right.
We are to ” …be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.”
Ephesians 6:10
We are to be of good courage. Psalm 27:14
We are not to fear. Psalm 27:1-6
JOSHUA’S COMMISSION – “…for thou must go with this people unto the land
which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt
cause them to inherit it.”
We have a commission from our Lord and Master. Matthew. 28:19-20
We are to help people inherit Heaven by witnessing to them. 1 Peter 3:15
We are to help Christians inherit their rewards by encouraging them and
training them. Hebrews 3:12-13, 2 Timothy 4:2, Ephesians 4:11-12
JOSHUA’S COMPANION – ” And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he
will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee…”
When we move forward under God’s direction, we do not lack His active
presence or help. Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 41:10