[Operation Fortitude] [By Levine, Joshua] [March, 2012]

I went on a John Lewis related book buying spree starting with these great ones, these March animated books.

I just got those too.

I went on a John Lewis related book buying spree starting with these great ones, these March animated books. I just got those too.

God's mighty hand would be shown once again, inspired by the book of Joshua.

The book of Joshua chapter one God commissions Joshua after the death of Moses the servant of the Lord the Lord said to Joshua the son of none Moses is minister Moses my servant is dead.

So he's being installed essentially as the new leader of the people of Israel over the Jordan and into the promised land.

And those words are be strong and of good courage be strong and of good courage repeated often throughout these first couple chapters gonna be repeated again throughout scripture.

And there is something about this that we recognize that when God is with us there is a change there is something completely different that even in the midst of struggles or trials in the midst of battles even in the midst of failure when God is with us we can still be strong and of good courage.

And so what is the command the command is take these stones from the center of the Jordan and stack them up pile up into an altar reminding the people as long as they live where these stones come from they came from the middle of the river that's about deep down the Lord went for us.

After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua, the son of Nun, Moses' minister, 'Moses, my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people into the land which I am giving to them, to the sons of Israel.'

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to the law, all which Moses, my servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left that you may have good success wherever you go.

Be strong and of good courage. Be not frightened, neither be dismayed for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Be strong and of good courage...repeated often throughout these first couple chapters...in chapter one especially there's this line where God says 'have I not commanded you like listen you're going to do what I've asked you're going to do what I've commanded so be strong and of good courage be not frightened neither be dismayed.'

Why? For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go...when God is with us there is a change...even in the midst of struggles or trials...in the midst of battles even in the midst of failure when God is with us we can still be strong and of good courage.

We just finished the book of Joshua, our seventh book, so let's get the 30,000 foot view on where we are in the chronological timeline of the Bible's overall metanarrative.

the books of Joshua and Judges were written by different authors, so to them it didn't feel redundant or confusing.

Joshua tell people to incline their hearts toward God.

I end my campaign with the same words I began it from the book of Joshua. I direct them to all Americans, but especially to so many of the women and girls out there who put their faith in our campaign. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. For God will be with you wherever you go.

Then Joshua son of nine secretly sent two spies from Shitem

Go look over the land he said especially Jericho

God in Joshua chapter 1 reminds Joshua of his reputation Not the reputation of Joshua the reputation of Jehovah

When Moses got ready to check out Canaan four decades ago, he sent 12 spies, and 10 came back with a fear report.

Numbers 13.33 says that they gave the man of God Moses this report. They said, We saw the Nephilim there.

We find her story in Joshua chapter two.

We pick up the scene in Joshua 2, verse 12 to 15.

It says, 'Now then, please swear to me by the Lord that you will show kindness to my family because I've shown kindness to you.'

Give me a sure sign that you will spare the lives of my father, my mother, my brothers, and my sisters, and all who belong to them, and that you will save us from death.'

Our lives for your lives, the men assured her. If you don't tell what we are doing, we will treat you kindly and faithfully when the Lord gives us the land.

If you want to look at Joshua chapter 2 today with me for a moment, very interesting story in Scripture.

God in Joshua chapter one reminds Joshua of his reputation, not the reputation of Joshua, the reputation of Jehovah.

I believe that with all of my heart ... let's go to the Word of God. Joshua chapter 4 verses 1 through 9. As I read this story to you ... on the surface, this story is really very simple.

The key to this, Joshua says, take 12 stones, January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. 12 months, 12 stones, 12 tribes, 12 disciples.

When you get to the end of Joshua's life, you read in Judges chapter 2, verse 10 ... Joshua's generation set up the stones. The next generation didn't even know the story.