Joshua 1:1-3 (NKJV) 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: “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. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.
After Moses’ death, God spoke to Joshua and gave him specific instructions and promises. It was evident that God had called him. Joshua had a solid understanding of God’s call on his life, which is why he remained unwavering in his faith despite the giants in the land and their shortcomings. Joshua was obedient and responded to the call without offering excuses, knowing God would deliver them.
God called different characters in the Bible, and each responded differently. When God called Moses, he gave the excuse that he stuttered. When God called Gideon to save Israel, he wasn’t sure he could do it because he was focused on his own ability, saying, “Indeed, my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.” (Judges 6:16b). Jonah ran away from God when God called him to Nineveh. All they saw was what they could do without considering the God factor!
God is still calling each of us today. When God calls, He provides, equips, and promises. Will we make excuses about a lack of training, finances, future security, or other family needs, or will we recognise the God factor in the call? We should listen and respond when God calls, and God will act when we obey!
We need to spend time understanding what God has specifically called us to do. God has uniquely created and called us to fulfil a purpose. We must discover our calling and partner with Him on it. Whatever He asks us to do will always be beyond our natural abilities, so we must rely on Him. He wants us to have faith in Him because faith pleases Him. Sadly, many of us are full of ourselves, wanting to do things that prove our worth to others, and make it all about us. Our identity is rooted in our actions rather than in our being in God; it is built solely on our work and achievements, which take priority in our lives. Many people live miserable, discontented, and disillusioned lives by chasing their own dreams instead of living out God’s calling.
Joshua had a spirit different from the other spies. He believed that it could be done and must be done with God’s help. He was a man of faith in God, embodying the spirit of faith, which is key to living out God’s calling. Likewise, we should take God’s calling and His Word for it. If God has said it and promised us, it is a “done deal”, regardless of the circumstances.
Today, we need leaders like Joshua who understand what God wants, answer the call, and achieve great things with God’s help.
Sermon Series: Resolution for 2026
拥抱你的呼召
约书亚记1:1–3 耶和华的仆人摩西死了以后，耶和华晓谕摩西的帮手，嫩的儿子约书亚，说：我的仆人摩西死了，现在你要起来，和众百姓过这约旦河，往我所要赐给以色列人的地去。凡你们脚掌所踏之地，我都照着我所应许摩西的话赐给你们了。
摩西去世之后，神亲自对约书亚说话，赐下清楚的指示与应许。这清楚地显明，神已经呼召了他。约书亚对神在他生命中的呼召有着坚定而清晰的认识，因此，即使面对那地的巨人和自身的不足，他的信心依然毫不动摇。约书亚选择顺服，毫不推诿、也不找借口，因为他深知，神必带领他们得胜。
圣经中，神呼召了许多不同的人物，而他们的回应却各不相同。神呼召摩西时，摩西以自己口才不佳为由推辞；神呼召基甸拯救以色列时，他因专注于自己的能力而犹豫不决，说：“我家在玛拿西支派中是至贫穷的，我在我父家是至微小的。”（士师记 6:16 下）而当神呼召约拿前往尼尼微时，约拿却选择逃避神的呼召。他们所看见的，都是自己“做不到”的部分，却忽略了“神的因素”。
今天，神仍然在呼召我们每一个人。当神呼召时，祂必供应、装备，并赐下应许。我们是要以缺乏训练、经济压力、未来保障或家庭需要为借口，还是要认出这呼召背后“神的因素”？当神呼召我们时，我们当聆听并回应；当我们顺服时，神就必亲自作为。
我们需要花时间去明白神具体呼召我们做什么。神独特地创造了我们，也独特地呼召我们，为要成就祂的旨意。我们必须发现自己的呼召，并与神同工。凡神所托付我们的，必然超越我们天然的能力，使我们必须倚靠祂。祂渴望我们对祂有信心，因为信心是祂所喜悦的。然而，遗憾的是，许多人过于以自我为中心，渴望透过成就来证明自己的价值，把一切焦点放在自己身上。我们的身份不再根植于“在神里面是谁”，而是建立在“做了什么”之上，工作与成就反而成了生命的优先次序。许多人因追逐自己的梦想，而非活出神的呼召，最终活在痛苦、不满足和失望之中。
约书亚与其他探子不同，他里面有一种不一样的灵。他相信这事不仅能成就，而且必须在神的帮助下成就。他是一个对神充满信心的人，活出了信心的灵，而这正是活出神呼召的关键。同样，我们也当凭信心接受神的呼召和祂的话语。只要是神所说、所应许的，无论环境如何，都已经是“定案”的事实。
今天，我们仍然需要像约书亚这样的人——明白神的心意，勇敢回应呼召，并在神的帮助下成就大事的领袖。
讲章系列：迈向2026：立定心志，跟随主