This AI transcript paraphrases the original sermon for readability. Further updates to the transcript will be made in due course. 

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This year, I've started a sermon series on the Book of Joshua. The Book of Joshua, found in the Old Testament, is vibrant and exciting. It features fascinating stories, such as the crossing of the Jordan River, the walls of Jericho collapsing, and even the moment when Joshua prayed for the sun to stand still, and the Bible says it did! These events are amazing, but the real question we must ask is: What do they mean for us today? How are they relevant in our lives now?

It's easy to come up with simplistic answers to these questions. For example, we might say, "God is great and powerful, so just pray, and God will answer and solve all your problems." That sounds good, and while it's not entirely untrue, some of you might be thinking, "I pray every day so I won’t be late for work, but the bus and train never seem to cooperate. And when the train does stop, it never starts again!" This kind of frustration can be overwhelming if we rely on simplistic answers to the complex truths of the Bible.

Years ago, Steve Jobs responded to questions about the iPhone's poor reception by saying that the problem was simply that people were "holding it wrong." While most of us disagreed with him—and it became known as the "Antennagate" scandal—it’s sometimes helpful, when grappling with the truths of Scripture, to ask ourselves, "Am I holding this wrong? How can I understand this truth correctly?"

To help answer that question, let me give you a brief introduction to the Book of Joshua. As you may have read earlier, the book marks a major transition in leadership, from Moses to Joshua. Moses has passed away, and Joshua takes the lead. Positioned as the sixth book after the Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), Joshua chronicles the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs and to Israel.

When we understand this perspective, we realize that Israel, under Joshua, was not going to enter, conquer, and settle in the Promised Land because of their military strength, but because of God's promises. It’s crucial to recognize that the Book of Joshua is not primarily about strategies, military tactics, or clever plans for overcoming obstacles; rather, it is about how to claim and live out the promises of God. While there are many promises made in Joshua, a few stand out as key and especially significant.

One of these promises is that "no man shall be able to stand before you," which speaks of victory. Another is the promise of land—the inheritance of the Promised Land. But perhaps the greatest promise of all, the one that I want to highlight, is the promise of God's presence. God told Joshua, "Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you." This means that Joshua would experience success and victory, not because of his own strength, but because of God’s presence. Even though there were giants in the land, even though the river was at flood stage and they had no way to cross it with their equipment, even though the cities were fortified beyond imagination, God promised that Joshua would still experience victory. Not only would Joshua conquer the land, but through him, Israel would fulfill God’s promises, all because of God’s presence with him.

So, what does this mean for us today? I want to share a simple but important message from Joshua 1:7-9, which contains God’s central command to Joshua and, by extension, to us—the key to victory. You see, for believers today, the thought of God’s presence can feel abstract or uncertain, and we often rely on our imaginations or feelings to reassure us that "God is with me." But when we look to Scripture, we find that God’s presence is not as complicated as we often make it. In fact, it’s straightforward and almost ordinary—and because of this, it’s easily overlooked.

In the Old Testament, victory is often described in terms of conquest and inheritance. But when we move to the New Testament, these concepts are applied spiritually through Christ. The battle for the Christian is spiritual, primarily a struggle against sin. When we are in Christ and apply the key to victory, we begin to experience victory over sin. The New Testament also speaks of our inheritance in Christ: eternal life, the kingdom of God, and living a life restored to God’s presence.

With this understanding, I want to share a simple yet profound truth from this passage: the key to victory is obedience to God’s Word. Obeying God’s Word is the key for believers to claim the promise of God’s presence, which leads to victory. This is not some mystical or abstract idea. It is not a product of our imagination or a theoretical concept. We are talking about how, through simple obedience to God’s Word, we can appropriate the promise of His presence. And because God is with us, we can experience victory over sin and live out the Gospel today.

First, let’s look at the command to obedience. In Joshua 1:7, God tells Joshua, “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses, my servant, commanded you.” The phrase “being careful to do” is repeated over 40 times in the Old Testament in reference to God’s Word.

Now, let’s pause and consider the context Joshua is in. He is facing a raging river, fortified cities, giants, and enemies he cannot easily overcome. He might be thinking about how many swords he needs, how to build battering rams, or how to cross the river. These are real, practical concerns that need immediate attention if they are going to advance. But God doesn’t focus on any of those things. Instead, He tells Joshua, “This is the most important thing: It’s not about physical might, it’s not about military strategies—it’s spiritual. You must be careful to obey everything I have commanded you.” This, Joshua, is the key to victory.

This is the key that unlocks My presence. And as long as I am with you, you will succeed. You will advance. You will move forward. To emphasize this, the scripture in Joshua 1 gives us a threefold repetition of being strong and courageous.

In verse 6, God tells Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, for you will cause these people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” This is the promise of victory, because you can only inherit the land if you are successful in battle. After victory, you can settle and claim the inheritance.

The second repetition appears in verse 7: “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses, my servant, commanded you.” In other words, if you want to be victorious, you must be strong and courageous in obeying My commands.

The third repetition comes in verse 9: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” This is the promise of God’s presence.

If we focus solely on the command to "be strong and courageous," we might wonder if Joshua is scared or timid. Is he trembling in fear, or unsure of his leadership abilities? However, the repeated commands are not about Joshua’s personality, but about understanding the source of his strength. Between the promise of victory and the promise of God’s presence, we are told that the key to unlocking both is obedience. To move forward in victory, Joshua—and we—must obey God’s Word.

This principle speaks directly to us as Christians today. No matter what challenges we face—whether in our marriages, homes, or careers—we must consider what God has commanded us to do. The scripture tells us to do according to all the law that Moses commanded. This refers to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, which are not merely rules and regulations. They are laws that address every aspect of the believer’s life—how we are to respond, think, and relate to God. In other words, these laws are designed to shape our lives and mold our minds, helping us understand God’s expectations for us every single day. This is what we must focus on.

The Scripture goes on to stress how crucial this command is: “Do not turn from it to the right or to the left.” God anticipates that when Joshua faces challenges, he will be tempted to stray from God's command. When the pressure is on, it’s easy to fall into our own thoughts and imaginations about how to handle the situation. God knows Joshua may be tempted by the opinions of others or influenced by strong feelings that oppose God's instructions. But God tells him, “When that happens, keep My Word central. Keep My commands right in front of you.”

Notice, here, that God doesn’t just say "be courageous," but “be very courageous.” It’s easy to talk about God’s Word, and it’s not that difficult to listen to it either. Of course, getting up in the morning and making the effort to gather—especially for young families with children—is challenging. I understand that. But studying, discussing, and thinking about God’s Word doesn’t require much strength or courage. It becomes challenging when we are called to obey it—when we ask, “What does this mean for my life? What does it mean for my career, my marriage, how I raise my children, or how I plan for retirement?” When these moments come, we face voices and influences from the world, and we are also confronted by what Scripture calls “the flesh,” which opposes the Spirit. In those moments, God tells us, “Be strong and very courageous to obey.”

So, we’re not just talking about intellectual knowledge or a deeper academic understanding of Scripture. What we’re talking about is increasing our obedience to God, and that requires courage. As one commentator notes, “Accepting any alternative to the centrality of Scripture in the church produces fear and dismay.” Even though Joshua had only five books of the law, he was expected to understand God’s desires and make the effort to obey them. Today, we have 66 books in the Bible, yet many of us are tempted to wait for a vision, a dream, or some spectacular experience before we say, “Now God has spoken to me; now I will obey.” This chase after experiences often leads to emptiness, fear, and dismay in our lives.

I’m thankful that, at Gospel-like Christian Church, since we shifted to a more central focus on the Word of God several years ago, we have remained committed to faithful and accurate teaching of Scripture. When we moved to this bigger hall, attendance was initially low, and it was tempting to think, “Should we focus on performances? Should we create more entertainment or clever ideas?” We’re not opposed to creativity, but we remain committed to keeping the Word of God central. We refuse to turn from it to the left or the right. We trust God to work as we faithfully teach and preach His Word.

I am grateful that, over the years, people have come to our church and been saved—not because of performances or entertainment, but because they heard the gospel clearly communicated to them.

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I’m so glad to hear stories of Christians coming from other churches where they didn’t receive rich teaching and understanding of Scripture, and when they come here, their minds are opened. They begin to understand and no longer veer to the right or to the left. They become strong and courageous in their obedience, and that is the key to victory over sin and living out our lives in Christ.

Now, some of you may be wondering, Does this really apply to me? After all, this is the Old Testament. Let’s look at what Jesus said in the New Testament. In Matthew 28:19-20, in what we call the Great Commission, Jesus commands us: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” And then, He promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

In other words, the key to victory has not changed in the New Testament. There’s nothing new, no new phenomenal or spectacular experience we should seek, other than a life of detailed, disciplined obedience to God’s Word.

Let me share with you a picture of one of my breakfasts. This was taken on July 29, 2021, the very first day I began my treatment after being diagnosed with cancer. Why am I showing you this? Is it to tempt you with hunger? Not quite. I’m grateful for this meal, as it was provided by my wife to help nourish me at the start of my treatment. As you can see, I had a nice Fauci bun and egg protein—nourishment that helped regenerate my cells and support me through the journey. Along the way, I ate less and less, but what you can't see in this picture is my computer, with my Bible open beside me.

Some of you may have heard my testimony, where I shared from Psalm 23 about how “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Even though I walked through the valley of the shadow of death, I did not fear, for God was with me. Now, that might sound abstract or uncertain, but I believe that in no small part, my daily reading of Scripture and my commitment to obeying God’s Word helped me experience His presence throughout my journey.

There was no reduction in the pain, no decrease in the fear or uncertainty, but through it all, I felt God’s presence—not through special dreams or visions, but through His Word. There were times when I couldn’t focus. After my major surgery, I was so weak that I couldn’t even read for about a week. During my chemotherapy, I was physically drained and could barely get out of bed. I had to stop reading for a week until I recovered. But when I did recover, I went right back to what nourished me—physical food for my body and the Word of God for my soul.

What Jesus commanded us in the Great Commission, and what God commanded Joshua in Joshua chapter 1, remains true for all of us today if we are to experience His presence. This is the key to victory.

Now, God is so kind to Joshua that He didn’t just give him the command but also explained how he would get there. Let’s take a look at the conditions for obedience. The Scripture tells us in Joshua 1:8, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth.” Let’s pause and reflect on this phrase.

When you hear the word “mouth,” you might think of food and eating—especially since I showed you a picture of my bun earlier. You may now be thinking about what you had for breakfast or what you’ll have for lunch. While the metaphor of eating God’s Word is used elsewhere in Scripture, that’s not what we find here. The Bible isn’t talking about storing God’s Word in your heart or simply gaining knowledge in your head. It’s not about solitary reflection or personal understanding after an intensive study. What the Bible is speaking of here is speaking with your mouth—talking about God’s Word.

A clearer picture of what this means can be found in Deuteronomy, where God commands the Israelites, when they settle in the land, to remember His words. He says in Deuteronomy 6:6-7, “These words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise.”

In other words, what God is commanding Joshua to do, in order to be careful to obey, is to discuss Scripture—not just to understand its meaning, but to know how to apply it and obey it.

About three weeks ago, I took my discipleship group on a two-day, one-night retreat to J.V. During the retreat, I led six sessions, each about two hours long, where we discussed Scripture together. In the first session, I opened up 1 John 1:1-4, talking about our fellowship with God, our fellowship with one another, and how this is the Word of life. It’s not just about knowledge; it’s about a real walk with God.

I remember as we sat together in the coffee shop, we were sharing our thoughts. One man shared his response, another contributed his insights, and we sharpened one another's understanding on how to obey what we were learning. One of the men in my group, who had been quite silent up until then, suddenly looked up with eyes wide open and said, “Wo Henson, chi,” which is Chinese for “I’m very angry.” Then he corrected himself, saying, “No, no, not with you, Pastor.” He explained, “I’ve been a Christian for over 20 years. I’ve been attending services, reading Christian books, and serving the Lord, but until you guys started talking about this, I didn’t realize how far I was from actually obeying it.”

This is exactly what God is telling Joshua: it’s not just about storing God’s Word in your mind or heart. There has to be ongoing conversations—real discussions—about how we will obey. This is what God calls us to, and it’s how we learn to walk in His presence, experience victory, and live out the life He has called us to.

I’m so glad that we are beginning to build a movement within our discipleship groups, focusing on spiritual conversations centered around God's Word. We are now working to spread this emphasis on Scripture into our care groups, so that they too are rooted in God’s Word. I hope you begin to see that, just as you regularly discuss what’s important to you at work or at home, we need to make discussing God’s Word a regular part of our lives if we are to obey it.

The Scripture also tells us that we are to meditate on it day and night, so that we may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. However, the problem with the word meditate is that we’ve been heavily influenced by Eastern mysticism. When we think of meditation, we often think about emptying our minds, focusing on an image, like a flower or a spot in the sky, and trying to "become one" with it. But that idea of meditation is completely foreign to Scripture. The Bible never asks us to empty our minds in meditation. Instead, it asks us to fill our minds with God’s Word so that we are thinking about what the Bible says—about God, His Word, His work, and His truth to us.

In other words, we are to constantly think about what Scripture says, what it means, and how it applies to our lives. And we’re called to do this day and night. Some of you might be thinking, “How is this even possible? My life is busy and hectic. I have work, responsibilities, and countless things demanding my attention!”

But don’t misunderstand—this doesn’t mean Joshua or anyone else had to spend every moment sitting under a tree, meditating on God’s Word. No, he was a busy man with battles to fight and rivers to cross. The Hebrew word here simply means that from day to night, there shouldn’t be an area of your life or an issue in your heart where you’re not asking, “What does the Bible say about this? What does God want me to do?” In other words, as you live your life from day to night, you should always be thinking about what God wants you to do and how His Word applies to your situation.

If we fail to do this, we won’t be able to obey. One commentator explained that a constant, careful absorption of the Word of God leads to obedience. The lack of study results in a lack of obedience. If we understand study as simply thinking about the Scripture, chewing on its truth, and learning how to apply it, then we’ll see that if we don’t go through that mental process, we won’t know the next step to take—and that’s why we often fail to take it.

Now, some of you may be thinking, “That sounds great, but does this really apply to us? Isn’t this just a special commission to Joshua? Do other believers have to meditate on God’s Word all the time? Do they have to talk about it constantly?” Well, let’s take a look at what Psalm 1 says: “Blessed is the man whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and on His law, he meditates day and night.” This is not just for Joshua—it’s for all believers, both in the Old Testament and the New. God calls all of us to meditate on His Word, to delight in it, and to make it central to our lives.

When we come to the New Testament, we find that Jesus tells us, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This underscores that the conditions for obedience remain the same: our thoughts and our speech must be anchored in God's Word. It requires that we meditate on it and keep it in our conversations so that it shapes our lives continuously, 24/7, in pursuit of obedience to Him.

Now, let’s talk about the consequences of obedience. This is where English readers of the Bible may run into confusion, especially when translating the Hebrew words in this passage. The English translation uses the terms prosperous and successful—two words that often lead us to think in worldly terms of financial wealth and personal achievement. Who doesn’t want prosperity and success? we might think. But what exactly do these words mean in the context of Scripture?

When we hear “prosperity,” some of us might immediately think of the prosperity burger at McDonald's or the Fortune 500 list. We may wonder, “When will I make it big and see my name in one of those elite business magazines?” And when we think of success, we might imagine a successful career, personal wealth, or physical health. The problem is that this is not the meaning of these words in the Hebrew text. When we apply worldly definitions to the Bible’s words, we miss the true essence of what God is saying.

In the Hebrew Bible, the word for prosperous (used 69 times) doesn’t primarily refer to financial success. It refers to thriving in one’s proper endeavors—whatever work or mission God has called us to. Similarly, the word success (used 78 times) doesn’t mean achieving fame or wealth. It refers to gaining wisdom, insight, or understanding in how to deal with the challenges we face in life.

Therefore, the prosperity and success that God speaks of here in Joshua are not about wealth, health, or worldly recognition. They are about succeeding in the tasks God has set before us. This is not a formula for material success, but for fulfilling God's will in our lives. As one commentator explained, these words about prosperity and success are not used in the Old Testament to describe financial or material success, but rather to speak of success in our proper endeavors—when our lives are focused entirely on God and our obedience to Him.

To illustrate this, let’s look at a few examples from the Old Testament:

1. Genesis 24:40

"But he said to me, 'The Lord before whom I have walked will send his angel with you and prosper your way. You shall take a wife for my son from my clan and from my father’s house.'"

Who said this and to whom? This was Abraham speaking to his servant, instructing him to find a wife for Isaac. The prosperity Abraham speaks of has nothing to do with financial success or career achievement. It is about the servant succeeding in his task of finding a godly wife for Isaac, as God desires.

2. Genesis 39:23

"The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed."

Where was Joseph, and what was his position? Joseph was in prison, not in a place of worldly success or material prosperity. Yet, the Lord was with him, giving him wisdom and success in everything he did, even in his unjust circumstances. This success is not about personal wealth or freedom, but about God's presence and guidance, even in hardship.

These examples show that prosperity and success in the Bible are not about the kind of worldly success we often think of. They are about thriving in the tasks God has set for us, whether we are in positions of power or suffering in prison, as long as we are obedient to His will.

Third and Final Example: Isaiah 53:10

Now, here's the third and final example, and this one might be the most challenging, but you've done great so far. Let's look at Isaiah 53:10:

"Yet it was the will of the Lord to crush him; he has put him to grief. When his soul makes an offering for guilt, he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand."

Question: Who is this talking about, and what do you think is happening here?

Who is it? Yes, Jesus. It describes the moment on the cross, where Jesus, in the deepest agony, is bearing the weight of the world’s sins. He’s suffering, His body is broken, and He cries out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

At this darkest moment of suffering, the Old Testament prophecy declares, "The will of the Lord will prosper in His hand." This statement has nothing to do with worldly success—no financial gain, no physical healing, or material prosperity. Instead, it points to the triumph of God's holy will being accomplished through Christ's sacrifice. Even in the most painful, desperate moment, God’s purpose was being fulfilled.

This same truth applies to Joshua, who, at this point in his life, was not a young, strong leader but likely over 80 years old. Instead of retiring, he’s leading the nation of Israel across the Jordan River, facing battle after battle. God told him, “Be careful to obey my word. Think about it. Talk about it. Apply it in every situation. And I will be with you. You will succeed in fulfilling my promises.”

This is not about personal success in worldly terms, but about the fulfillment of God’s will.

A Modern Example of Obedience: Nick Vujicic

In our modern age, I’m thankful that God raises up real-life examples that challenge the worldly thinking of success. One such person is Nick Vujicic. Born without arms or legs, he faced overwhelming struggles. In fact, he had no hope for his life, and at one point, even tried to end it. But when he encountered the gospel and embraced Christ, his life transformed. Despite his physical condition remaining the same, God freed him from the depression and despair that once gripped him. Through obedience to God’s call, Nick’s life became one of victory—not because of physical healing or worldly success, but because he discovered the true freedom and purpose found in God's presence.

Nick’s story illustrates what Scripture teaches us: The greatest promise is not the promise of physical healing or material success but the promise of God’s presence. God will be with you wherever you go. No matter what you face or how challenging life becomes, His presence is what we truly need.

The Key to Victory: Obeying God’s Word

So, the key to experiencing God’s presence and the victory He promises is not in seeking mystical experiences or relying on our cleverness or knowledge. It is in the consistent, careful obedience to God’s Word. When we think about it, talk about it, and apply it daily, we unlock the power of God's presence in our lives. As we live in obedience, we will experience prosperity in the form of fulfilling God’s will, and success as we walk in His wisdom.

In conclusion, friends, obeying God’s Word is the key to appropriating the promise of His presence. It’s not about what we can achieve or accumulate in this life. It’s about living in constant fellowship with God, trusting in His guidance, and relying on His strength.

Let’s pray.

Prayer:

Our Father in heaven, we thank You so much for Your Word. So often, we come to church filled with our own ideas, but we thank You that Your Word gives us light and direction. I pray for those of us who are struggling in life, feeling up and down, frustrated in our faith, wondering how it all fits together. Lord, help us to stop hoping for something dramatic or mystical to change our lives. Instead, help us to commit ourselves to daily, disciplined obedience to Your Word. As we do, may we experience the fullness of Your presence and know the victory that is ours in Christ Jesus. We ask all this in His precious name. Amen.