Joshua 1:7-8 (NKJV) 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. 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.
Joshua was deeply concerned for his people, who had become complacent about the remaining Canaanites. God’s instruction was to remove these people from the land entirely—to drive them out. However, it was easy for them to accept sharing the land with them, even though it was meant to be exclusively theirs. Because the Mosaic Covenant is conditional, Joshua felt led to encourage the people of Israel to continue walking in the ways of the Lord so they could continue to experience God’s blessings.
God reminded Joshua of what he needed to do to succeed and prosper. Because of the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, the people had to observe and obey all that is in the law. God would bless them if they faithfully and obediently followed His commandments and walked in His ways. Consequently, they would enjoy His covenant protection, provision, and all the blessings mentioned therein. They couldn’t achieve a successful conquest if they relied solely on their own abilities because the inhabitants were like giants, whereas they were like grasshoppers, according to the words of the ten spies. It was a mission impossible. Because they couldn’t conquer the inhabitants of the land or enjoy peace on their own, they needed to heed God’s word, follow God and His commandments closely, so that one could chase a thousand.
Praise the Lord for we have an everlasting covenant established with the blood of Jesus Christ and God. However, we will still face the consequences of the decisions we made in the flesh to walk apart from God, even though God loves us unconditionally and remains faithful to His covenant.
Men tend to be forgetful. Therefore, we also tend to become complacent when things are going well for us—when we get a promotion, a stable job, or a safe, secure environment. Therefore, we need to resolve to walk closely with God, follow His lead, and be fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ in every aspect of our lives.
God commanded His people not to worship other gods or intermarry with the inhabitants of the land but to drive out the remnants completely from the land. Failing to do so out of complacency would result in attacks from these remnants throughout their lives. Likewise, we must address issues in our lives and the sins that easily ensnare us, or else we won’t be able to enjoy the abundant life. The Israelites had to confront the occupants of the land, but we also need to deal with the flesh.
Sermon Series: Resolution for 2026
对安逸说“不”
约书亚记1:7–8 只要刚强，大大壮胆，谨守遵行我仆人摩西所吩咐你的一切律法，不可偏离左右，使你无论往哪里去，都可以顺利。 这律法书不可离开你的口，总要昼夜思想，好使你谨守遵行这书上所写的一切话。如此，你的道路就可以亨通，凡事顺利。
约书亚深切关心他的百姓，因为他们对尚未被赶出的迦南人逐渐产生了安逸与妥协。神清楚地吩咐，要将这些人完全从地上赶出去——彻底驱逐。然而，与他们共享那本该完全属于以色列人的土地，看起来却更为容易。由于摩西之约是有条件的，约书亚感到有责任劝勉以色列百姓继续行在耶和华的道中，好使他们持续经历神的祝福。
神提醒约书亚，成功与亨通的关键在于遵行祂的指示。正因为摩西之约具有条件性，百姓必须谨守并顺服律法中一切的吩咐。只要他们忠心顺服、行在神的道中，神就必赐福给他们，使他们得享约中的保护、供应，以及其中所应许的一切福分。若单靠自己的能力，他们无法完成征服，因为当地的居民如同巨人，而他们自己却像蚱蜢——正如那十个探子的描述。这在人看来是“不可能的任务”。既然他们无法凭己力征服那地、也无法凭己力得享平安，就必须留心神的话，紧紧跟随神、遵行祂的诫命，才能经历“一人追赶千人”的得胜。
感谢主，我们如今与神立有借着耶稣基督宝血所立的永约。然而，即便神以无条件的爱爱我们，并始终信守祂的约，我们仍然会为体贴肉体、选择远离神的决定承担相应的后果。
人本性健忘，因此当一切顺利时——例如升职、工作稳定，或身处安全舒适的环境中——我们很容易变得安逸与松懈。正因如此，我们需要立定心志，紧紧与神同行，跟随祂的引导，在生命的每一个层面完全降服于基督的主权之下。
神吩咐祂的百姓不可敬拜别神，也不可与当地居民通婚，而是要将余剩的势力完全从地上除尽。若因安逸而未能如此，这些残余的势力将一生不断攻击他们。同样地，我们也必须正视生命中的问题，以及那些容易缠累我们的罪；否则，我们就无法真正享受那丰盛的生命。以色列人需要面对并对付那地的居民，而我们也必须对付自己的肉体。
讲章系列：迈向2026：立定心志，跟随主