Joshua Strong and Courageous // Preparation for the Promises

2 Peter 2:22 NIV 

Of them the proverbs are true: "A dog returns to its vomit," and, "A sow that is washed returns to her wallowing in the mud." 

1. Your Witness Bears Weight 

Joshua 2:1 NIV 

Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. 

Joshua‬ ‭3:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before.” 

2. Consecration Brings Clarity 

Joshua‬ ‭3:5‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do amazing things among you.” 

3. Further Means Feet-In 

Joshua‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: “When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.” 

Joshua‬ ‭3:15b-16a;17‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

15… As soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away... 17 The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.” 

Joshua‬ ‭4:1-3:7b‬ ‭NIV‬‬ 

When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight. 7… These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.” 

Questions: 

1. What does the term, “being a witness for Jesus” mean to you? Have you seen others in your life impacted by your Faith? 

2. Have you ever noticed that when you quiet yourself and focus, it’s easier to hear God's voice? Describe a situation where this strategy was successful. 

3. What does “stepping out in Faith” mean to you? What areas of your life are you applying this truth to today?