God's Formula for Success

with situations that, to our eyes, seem impossible! There are outward circumstances like illnesses and disabilities, broken relationships, financial hardships, the loss of a job, etc. Then there’s the inner conflicts that test our faith, like attacks on our personal integrity, remaining faithful when no one is looking, enduring the sting of loneliness and separation, standing alone when you’re misunderstood. There are many times in our lives when we need to hear God’s command to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.”
There’s something else we dare not overlook. Even though Joshua and his nation were small in comparison to the enemy, they had somebody on their side that would tip the scales in their favor. Look at Joshua 1:9 (read). Compare that with Deut. 7:17-19, 21 (read).
Just like Joshua and the nation of Israel, we may see ourselves as small in comparison to the enemy, but we have Somebody on our side that is going to tip the scales in our favor.
God’s formula for success begins with, “Be strong and courageous.” But there is an addendum I want to put on it that will make it complete. “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Real success is not a matter of strength and courage alone, but strength and courage that comes from the knowledge that God is walking with us.
Don’t miss the point! For Joshua to lead the people into the land of Canaan and claim God’s promise he must be strong and courageous. They couldn’t do like their fathers had done a generation ago and grumble and complain and refuse to enter the land because of their fear. Listen to Moses recount the story of their failure in Deut. 1:26-32 (read).
Watch this now! The outcome of their fear and unbelief was…what? (God became angry with them and took away from that generation the blessings he had reserved especially for them.) God doesn’t want Joshua and his generation to make the same mistake.
I think we need to apply this principle not only in our personal life, but also in the life of this congregation. It would be very easy for us to look at this congregation with only our human eyes and human understanding and say, “We’re just too small in insignificant to have any influence on the city of Beaumont. Let’s just do what little we can and be satisfied with that.” You know what I think about that kind of philosophy? I think it’s a weak excuse for a weak faith.
In God’s success formula the first thing we must do is be strong and courageous, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

PRINCIPLE #2: OBEDIENCE TO GOD’S COMMANDS (v. 7)
Notice how the Lord delivers this to Joshua: “Be careful to obey ALL the law….”
It would be convenient if we could pick and choose which of God’s principles and laws we could follow and which we found to be too demanding and too harsh. (Illustration of looking for fruit in the grocery store, only you’re shopping for “principles.” “Let’s see I’ll take some joy. Here’s some love, I always like that. Patience…hmmm, sometimes that upsets my stomach. Forgiveness? I’m not in the mood for that today.)
The law that Joshua was given was very detailed, and God expected him to learn it, meditate on it, and apply it. We are not under that same law today, but we live by the same principles.
Jesus said that there are two commands that are most important. What are they? Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and