Source: https://wordsforliving.org/2014/05/10/good-advice-from-an-old-soldier-the-study-of-joshua-231-8/
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 21:15:12+00:00

Document:
Verse one of our text tells the story. Israel has acquired the land that God had promised them and their faithful leader, Joshua, is old and is preparing to die, v. 14. Before he leaves them, however, he has something to tell them about serving the Lord. To do this, he calls two meetings. The first, in chapter 23, is held with the elders and leaders of the people. The second, recorded in chapter 24, involves all the people of Israel.
He wants to encourage Israel to stay the course for God. He knows that the old guard, that is, those who knew Moses and Joshua are swiftly dying off. He knows that a new generation is coming along that did not see all the miracles and all the wonders of the Lord in their midst. Before he dies, he just wants to remind them of the God they serve.
In these 2 chapters, there are some valuable lessons for us as well. We live in a day when many have forgotten about the glory and power of God, and those who have known about such things are becoming fewer by the day. We need to be reminded of the power and glory of our God. Our children need to be exposed to His power!
These verses tells us what we need to know this morning about keeping God’s work alive.
Let’s look in on the scene as Good Advice comes from an Old Soldier.
A. V. 6 He Fears Complacency – Joshua is afraid that the people of Israel might begin to take the Law of God for granted. He fears that they might become complacent in their walk with the Lord and begin to let things slide in their lives. Sadly, he was right, this is exactly what they did!
(Ill. It is my conviction that the sin of complacency is one of the most common sins there is among the people of God! We have allowed ourselves to adopt a Laodicean attitude – Rev. 3:14-22. We have allowed ourselves to be satisfied with our spiritual condition and as a result, we are allowing thing to go unchallenged in our lives that are leading us away from God and deeper into sin! We are neither hot nor cold.
B. V. 7 He Fears Compromise – Another fear Joshua possesses is that the people of Israel will decide to follow the dead God’s of Canaan. He fears that they will compromise their standards and bow down to idols. Again, it is as if the man could see into the future! What he was afraid would happen, did happen!
C. V. 8 He Fears Commitment – It is not that Joshua fears that they will be committed to the Lord. Rather, he fears that their commitment will become slack and that they will not cleave to the Lord as they should.
A. 23:11-13 To Consider God’s Wrath – While there are many challenges given here, the primary idea that Joshua is trying to convey is this: If you will serve the Lord, He will bless you. If you disobey Him, He will chastise you!
B. 24:1-13 To Consider God’s Works – In this section, Joshua reminds the nation of all the many great things the Lord has done for them. His challenge is for them to remember all the works of the Lord on their behalf. If they will remember His goodness, they will be more likely to serve Him faithfully.
C. 24:14-18 To Consider God’s Will – Joshua tells the people that it is the Lord’s will for them to clean up their lives and to serve the Lord faithfully. He makes the statement that he and his family will do just that, v. 15! The people respond by expressing their desire to serve God because of His greatness and His blessings!
(Ill. Notice Joshua’s attitude toward the situation, v. 15. He tells them what they should be doing, then he tells that regardless of what they do, he is going to serve God! What a lesson for us as individuals!
A. 24:25-28 It Involved A Great Stone – Before Joshua dies, he erects a great stone as a monument to the fact that the people have sworn to follow the Lord. Thereafter, whenever they passed by that place they would remember their oath and be certain that their lives were pleasing to the Lord their God.
When somebody says you’re too small like a grasshopper… too many giants…too old… CLICK HERE to go to our Words for Living Christian Resource Superstore for Prayer Devotionals. If you want to save 10% on most items including best sellers….subscribe to our newsletter and we will send you news on discounts and sales.

References: v. 
 V. 
 V. 
 V. 
 v. 
 v.