May 4, 2025 - Those Who Walk to a Guaranteed Future (Joshua 1:1-9)

Those Who Walk to a Guaranteed Future (Joshua 1:1-9)

Rev. Myung-Sin Choi

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Introduction

Because of God’s grace, I was able to come back from the World Missions Conference well. From the beginning to the end of the conference, I was able to experience God’s great grace. I was able to meet Elder Kwang-Su Kim and I was able to meet a doctor in Ilsan. I was able to tell the doctor my situation in Ilsan and the doctor recommended that I completed the procedure here in Korea. I told the doctor when I could do the procedure and everything was completed well that matched well with my schedule. The doctor told me that he was able to make room for me to get this procedure well. I was able to meet with the doctor on the 23rd at 10AM and the doctor told me that he can complete the exam, and do the procedure that same day at 1PM. So, I agreed with the doctor that this would be the best scenario. In Korea, doing exams and everything can be completed so fast. My procedure usually takes two hours but the doctor took four hours to complete, and the reason why it took so long was because there were so many deposits clogged in my arteries then they thought. If it was in America, they would’ve probably told me that they couldn’t complete the procedure and they would suggest that I have a full open heart surgery. But the doctor was able to complete the procedure well with the special tools in Korea and they placed a stent in my heart. I told the doctor that I had to leave after the procedure so I was able to be discharged the same day at 8PM. This had to happen that day because the next day, I had to get on the plane to go back to America. I truly believe that God prepared the perfect time schedule for me to complete the procedure well. Now that I think about it, I truly believe because of our church and church members’ prayers, I was able to complete the procedure well. I am so thankful to God. What is astounding is that our remnant deacons and elders who allowed this surgery to happen so I am so thankful. After the procedure was completed, I was able to arrive at the RUTC in Korea at 10PM. An assistant pastor was able to help me to get to and from the procedure and all of the pastors found out regarding my procedure. So all of the pastors and pastors’ wives were praying together for my procedure. When I arrived at the RUTC, all of the pastors were waiting for me at the front door without sleeping. All of the pastors accommodated so that I could stay comfortably at the RUTC dormitory where I can sleep comfortably along with my wife. All of the pastors and pastors’ wives would continue to pray for me and continue to wake up in the middle of the night to pray for me. I was so thankful. Also when they found out that I had a procedure, there is a prayer team in the Seoul Immanuel Church that is praying for our church and RU. Through these people, they paid for my hospital fees and procedure. I was able to experience that God was truly with me and I could experience that our denomination is truly one. I could experience the power of the gospel and the heavenly throne. What is important is that God is giving us a message. This means that no problem is a problem for us. This is because God is with us and continues to work in our lives. 

1. Disciples Who Are in the Flow

(1) The important content of the the flow

Verse 8 - It is giving us five mysteries on how to receive answers. This is talking about five flows. First, the book of the law should not depart from your mouth. This means that you need to be within the flow of the fulfillment of God’s word. Don’t let the word of God depart from your mouth means that the word of God needs to be your navigation. The background of this world does not determine your life but the word of God needs to determine your life. Then, what about the word of God? We need to meditate on it day and night. Hold onto the flow of the word of God and be within the flow of receiving answers. When you meditate on the word of God, you can find God’s plan. You can confirm God’s navigation in your life. That direction is talking about having your direction towards world evangelism. It is not focusing on your physical and worldly needs and desires, but your direction needs to be towards God and world evangelism. If you are able to do this, then your path will be prosperous. You need to enter into 24 hours in one nation. Then, that path will be prosperous for you. In your field, there will be hidden disciples. Then, your life will be prosperous. Your nation and you will survive. Hold onto the word and confirm the five flows in your life. From here, you can find all answers and everything will be determined. 

(2) The prepared turning point

Verse 3 - It says where you will tread. God did not just use Moses alone but He used a team. From the moment Moses was born, he had his mother, Jochebed and the prayers of others. He had a prayer team for him. When he went to Midian, God prepared the prayer team formed with Moses and Jethro. When he performed the 10 miracles, God formed a team with Moses and Aaron. When he was crossing Canaan, God prepared a team with Moses, Caleb, Joshua, and Rahab. God always prepared a team for Moses and used him greatly. There is a team that God has prepared for you and this team is so important for you. When you were looking at Babylon, there was a team with Daniel and his three friends. You need to form a team of faith. There was a team with Esther and Nehemiah. And, during the Roman conquest, there was a team of the Roman 16 workers. Through blessings of meetings, God had prepared a team. If you have no interest in this, then you cannot receive answers and blessings at all. You need to find God’s plan and time schedule together with your team, and you will form the 24 hour team. When you move as a team, then nothing becomes impossible for you. 

(3) Absolutely necessary conditions

Verse 5 - When you have a team, you need to have the same goal and direction. God promised that He will be with us and will never forsake us. We need to have faith. We need to enjoy this. This is 7-7-7. God showed Moses His great power of the Triune God and the heavenly throne. God showed the power of the ages changing. Through Moses and the team, God allowed the five powers and five watchtowers to be raised. God allowed the power of the universe coming upon Moses even though Moses was powerless. God showed Moses great answers and the path. God showed the three courtyards to Moses. We must be imprinted with these things. When we hold onto these things, then God will lead us through the 7 journeys. God is always leading us so there is nothing for us to worry about. The journey that God has guided us towards, this has been prepared for us long ages past. Hold onto God’s direction and confirm your platform. Root yourself within this path. When you are able to do this, then you can find great faith. What is absolute is that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, He confessed that everything was finished in John 19:30 “So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.” Jesus said that everything is finished but you say that nothing is working out for you. This is not because nothing is working out for you but you need to have a new start. Jesus Christ is your start. Jesus Christ died on Mount Calvary but this was the great journey to Rome. Make this your nature. 

2. Disciples Who Walk to a Guaranteed Future

(1) The path of only that God showed Joshua

Verse 4 - We must hold onto the only that Joshua held onto. This was what God promised Abraham originally. But if you look in the Bible, in order to fulfill this promise with Abraham, God fulfilled it through Moses. This being fulfilled through Moses, Joshua saw this. He was able to confirm God’s work and power. He was able to confirm that God fulfills His word. This took place through the Event of the Passover. He was able to see the power of the blood of the lamb. He was able to see the Red Sea splitting and continued to confirm the great miracles that took place in the wilderness. Joshua continued to see the word of God being fulfilled. Having the Red Sea splitting may be seen as a miracle for us but for God, it was all part of the process of fulfilling His word. If we are able to go towards the path of the fulfillment of God’s word, then our path is guaranteed. 

(2) The path of uniqueness where the Word is fulfilled

Verse 6 - The way towards the fulfillment of God’s word is being within God’s covenant. If you are within God’s covenant then there is nothing for you to fear. There is nothing for you to worry about. Our God is alive. I told you in the introduction regarding my stay at the hospital and my procedure. Many people may just hear it as a detailed information regarding my procedure but each step of the way, I was able to experience God’s presence and work. From the beginning to the end, I could see God’s guidance. Everything went perfectly according to God’s time schedule. When we look at Joshua, God told him not to be afraid and to be courageous. 

This means that this was the same word that God also gave to Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3 “Now the Lord had said to Abram: ‘Get out of your country, From your family And from your father’s house, To a land that I will show you. 2 I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ ” - Whether it was Moses, Joshua, and Caleb, they were able to enter into the covenant of Genesis 12:1-3 so they were able to receive blessings. This was because God’s word had to be fulfilled no matter what. This was the way to receive the answer of uniqueness. 

(3) The path of re-creation to save the world

We may face difficulties but look at verse 2 - After Moses died, it seemed like all of the doors and roads were blocked. But God commanded Joshua to cross the Jordan River. It may seem like everything was over but God was opening a new path through Joshua. He saw the Red Sea splitting but God opened a new path for Joshua through the Jordan River. God told Joshua to go because His word had to be fulfilled. All Joshua had to do was go. The water was overflowing but God still commanded Joshua to go. The path that God commanded him to go to, it was the path where God’s word will be fulfilled. The moment we hold onto God’s covenant and go, we can see great answers and miracles arising within our lives. 

3. The Mission to Find the Prepared Disciples

(1) Prepared disciples

Confirm this for yourself. Are you truly a disciple? Hold onto the word of God. 

Joshua 2:4, 9, 12 “Then the woman took the two men and hid them. So she said, ‘Yes, the men came to me, but I did not know where they were from.’ 9 and said to the men: ‘I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you. 12 Now therefore, I beg you, swear to me by the Lord, since I have shown you kindness, that you also will show kindness to my father’s house, and give me a true token.’ ” - The soldiers of Canaan came before Rahab but she was already hiding the two spies. This story was written very shortly in the Bible but the king was told that the spies were at Rahab’s house so they went to her house but Rahab had already hid the two spies. It is not important how she did it but she knew that these spies had to be hidden. She knew that if they found out what she was doing, she was going to die but she was staking her life. What was the reason for this? 

The reason is seen in Joshua 2:9 - The reason why Rehab hid the spies was because God already gave the land of Canaan to them. Rahab knew of God’s covenant. She believed in God’s absolute covenant. It has no meaning if you hold onto God’s word but don’t believe in it. If you don’t believe in it, then you will not receive answers. When you believe, then work will arise. Through your faith, you know you will become a disciple. If you have faith, then you are a prepared disciple of God. 

Joshua 2:12 - Rahab had tremendous faith. She told the spies that since she hid them, she made the spies promise that the spies would spare her life and her family. You may not understand this but Rahab believed that if the spies promised to her that they would spare her, then God would listen to them. Rahab believed in this and believed that God would answer the prayers and promise of the spies. Some people say that they go to church but feel like God doesn’t listen to them so they stopped going to church. But what about Rahab? She had absolute faith that the words and promises of the spies, will absolutely be fulfilled through God. That is why she made the spies promise her. But God saw all of this and remembered this, and kept His promise to Rahab. Hold onto this promise and this act of faith. 

(2) The fulfillment of the living Word

Joshua 6:23 “And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel.” - This was tremendous. All Rahab did was make a promise with some people of God but God listened. Not only did God save Rahab but He saved her entire life. Her entire family was saved because of Rahab’s faith. God truly blessed Rahab. 

Matthew 1:5 “Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse.” - Salmon was a young man who met Rahab and they ended up getting married. God allowed this meeting to happen. Through Rahab’s prayer, God saved her entire family and family line. God allowed world evangelism to happen through Rahab. Imagine how much evangelism that Rahab did and probably told everyone that if they wanted to live, they had to come to her house. Everyone that entered her house, they all survived. God was pleased with this. That is why Rahab was part of King David’s lineage. She was part of the lineage of Jesus. God protects these kinds of disciples. God guarantees these kinds of disciples. Receive blessings. 

Conclusion

Hold onto Hebrews 6:14 “Saying, ‘Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.’ ” - Are you a prepared disciple of God? Then, this blessing will come upon you. May you enjoy this blessing.