I love the saying . It's an original . Keep your fears to yourself , share your courage with others , and that really is what we should all do . We should always speak positively , because we're when we're talking about courage , we're talking about faith . The words are synonymous . So when you have faith in God , you're having courage in God . He's your strength , he's your shield , he's the one that's leading you and guiding you , and so you're fighting the good fight of faith . This is not a natural battle , it's a spiritual battle . So you keep your eyes on Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith .
Speaker 3Right , would you say . Courage is not the absence of fear , but Conquering of it .
Speaker 1Now , that's not original either , but it's in one of my teachings . I don't think I give reference to who said it . The person who said it , I've forgotten .
Speaker 4I'll take it . I'll take it , but it's so true .
Speaker 1You know , if courage isn't the absence of fear , it's the conquering of it . So we all have fears , but you just shut your mouth when it comes to it , like a firefighter who's wanting to rescue people from 60 feet up a ladder . He has to go up the ladder , he's terrified , but he doesn't turn around and say to us , the other firefighters , I'm terrified , I'm going home .
Speaker 1He keeps his fears to himself and climbs that ladder because he's not thinking of himself . He's thinking of the fate of the woman and child that's going to burn to death if he doesn't climb that ladder and save them and this whole thing of the land flowing with milk and honey . That's what we're working towards . We want to see people in heaven , not in hell .
Speaker 2Amen .
Speaker 1And so we want to conquer the land and any giants that come against us , and that includes their own fears , their own Goliath fears . We've got to conquer them .
Speaker 2The word regret has a much deeper meaning to me now , friends . And look , I'm not a what do they call it ? A pseudo-masochist , someone that enjoys hurting themselves . But I don't know why I did this yesterday . But I did the most ridiculous , pathetic , dumb , ignorant thing yesterday .
Speaker 4Sounds like a regular day in the life of Easy by the way Pretty much .
Speaker 2But yesterday I went to Wienerschnitzel .
Speaker 4You did what did you think I went to .
Speaker 2Wienerschnitzel yesterday . You know what else I did I drank a full cup of black coffee . What ? From where you know ?
Speaker 1what else I did that's important . April 1st you cannot earn your way to heaven .
Speaker 3This is not April 1st , because you really do these things . Wait , where was the ?
Speaker 2coffee from . And you know what else I did . I ate Marmite on toast All yesterday To identify with you .
Speaker 1Oh , that's right . You did all of that yesterday .
Speaker 3I did it all in one day . What did you do about Wienerschnitzel ?
Speaker 2And you know what I did after I ate that Marmite , after all that stuff that I did you threw up , I ate Tom's oh you did Because . I had so much heartburn man .
Speaker 1From the marmite .
Speaker 2Well , chili cheese dogs .
Speaker 4No one told you to jump in the head first in our life With pickles coffee which is acidic and then Marmite , what tar , whatever that stuff is .
Speaker 2It's high in mar , oh man , okay . So Wait , okay , hold on , break it down . Where was the coffee from ? I knew you were going to interrogate me on that . It was from here , from the , from the Keerig . That's the problem . What'd you get at Wienerschnitzel ? Okay , and I'll tell you my experiences . I got from Wienerschnitzel three chili cheese dogs .
Speaker 1He dove into the deeper . You did it . You actually did it . I went for it .
Speaker 2I said I'm going in , I'm going all the way in . You got the deep end Three chili cheese dogs with ketchup , mustard and pickles . Wait , wait , you ruined it . You put ketchup and mustard .
Speaker 3Why would you do that ? Wait , wait , wait , are you ?
Speaker 2kidding . Are you kidding , mark ? You ruined it . You put ketchup and mustard on a chili cheese dog . No , no , hot dog of any sort should ever not have ketchup and mustard . It was absolutely wonderful . What .
Speaker 4Until after I finished eating it .
Speaker 2Middle Eastern universe . Are you from ? Okay , so I ate . I had the coffee . I went black , a full cup of coffee and I forced myself to drink it . Most disgusting thing in the world . And I , because each like , from time to time I step back and I go okay , am I insane ? Am .
Speaker 4I crazy .
Speaker 2Am I crazy ? Also , true , is it just me ? Yes , but this just reaffirmed , oscar , I do have to admit I felt pretty good , though I felt so awake . You know we had that long meeting . I don't I got to notice , but I was like alert in there . This is the caffeine keeps you awake . Well , but I look , I again for the record . Friends , those of you that run into me in public when and you harass me .
Speaker 2I harass wait people harass me , I love it . I've been harassed , I love . Thank you , people . I love coffee , just the right kind of coffee you like cream with a little bit of coffee With flavored creamer . He likes creamer with a spritzer of coffee . But I have to admit , though , I think that having not having all that sugar , I felt I felt good in a different way , Absolutely Like more awake . So , but disgusting stuff .
Speaker 3Last week when I was coming back from an event , it was 11 o'clock at night and I went into Wintersnitzel . I go , I just need to go to sleep , I'm so tired . But there's a Wintersnitzel . I'm literally driving by at Wintersnitzel . I can't just drive by it and pretend like it doesn't exist . I mean , we're lifelong friends . So I went in there and I got two chili cheese dogs and a chili cheese fry . And my wife sends me a text Are you at Wintersnitzel right now ? Because she follows me . She tricks me .
Speaker 2She cracks me . Your son will find you out more . It's funny .
Speaker 4Tell you how much joy it brings me when we meet people who listen to the podcast and they're like I'm with you on the coffee thing .
Speaker 2Oh , I have all the time I'm so happy about it , People tell me you're ridiculous . Anyway , so then I go to Wintersnitzel
First . I was like looking around to make sure no one could see me . It was late . I left the office late .
Speaker 3It's prison food .
Speaker 2No , actually it wasn't that late , it was about almost six or so . So I'm looking around . I'm like I feel almost non-human .
Speaker 4That's how I feel walking into a McDonald's .
Speaker 2I feel like an animal . What am I doing in this life ?
Speaker 3They're usually not the cleanest places , but if I was on Death . Row Lawsuit yeah . So listen , that's why most of them don't have an in-ear . If I was on Death Row , I would definitely get like 20 chili cheese dogs , but again it has to be wrapped in paper for like five minutes Wouldn't need to put you to death . That would be the instrument to kill you . Oscar's trying to say something very profound .
Speaker 4It has to be wrapped in the paper for like five minutes . You can't get it and eat it . You got to get it and like drive a few blocks , let it get it nice and warm , and then you eat it .
Speaker 2Okay , well , that happened because I drove home and it was about five minutes away . But okay , so I ate it and it was glorious . Now , remember , now again , I have to remind you guys , I used to eat wienerschnitzel , until one day I realized that only stupid people eat wienerschnitzel what do you mean ? As I crunched into bones and then I felt disgusting . So most glorious thing , I loved it , especially with the pickles and the mustard . To catch , you have to have it with that , you have to . But then , after I did it , I felt disgusting . I said what did I do ? What did I do ? Like sin ? Yeah , no , the best thing out of all this was the marmite .
Speaker 1Really , no no .
Speaker 2I was gonna say I don't eat marmite . We need you back and talk about this wienerschnitzel . What ? Why don't you eat marmite ?
Speaker 1Gives you hot bone .
Speaker 4Did you play ?
Speaker 2this out . What when you're like today's the day , I'm gonna do all this stuff . I'm doing it , I'm doing it , I'm doing it and again . You guys are all ridiculous .
Speaker 1If you were really loving , you would have taken up surfing or something .
Speaker 3You know what I'm so proud of you ? Because it's 20 grams of fat , 50 milligrams of cholesterol , 1160 milligrams of sodium , 30 grams of your total carbohydrates , 15 grams of protein . You need that for muscle building 15 grams Times three .
Speaker 2Anyway , Ray , why do you not eat marmite ? I ?
Speaker 1haven't eaten marmite for years . Why I don't particularly like it ? I thought you loved it . No , it's just part of our culture . I'll enjoy it If someone gives me a toast , and mama , I don't know how .
Speaker 4So I think that's that .
Speaker 1I don't crave it .
Speaker 4I like it on toast .
Speaker 1And I , like I do Tom's works , doesn't it , tom's ?
Speaker 2works . Oh , I love Tom's , yeah , so , but here's the thing like with marmite . That's a good point . Last night I was telling Rachel because I saw a video of some pastor preaching . I don't know , maybe Oscar you've seen this , or Mark or Ray , I don't know but a lot of preachers now especially more of the kind of cool contemporary they're preaching with a microphone in their hand . That used to never happen .
Speaker 3I'm not a fan .
Speaker 2I'm not a fan . I had to do it . But why ? Why do they do it To me ? It's so cumbersome , like you're switching hand to hand . Your hand gets tired , you're there's less problems than a headset .
Speaker 4I had to do it at a church recently and it didn't get in the way as much as I thought it would , but I'd rather not .
Speaker 2No , I can't stand it . But my point is I told Rachel probably one pastor saw a cool pastor do it and thought that's what you do and they're miserable doing it , but it's what you do . Same thing with Marmite Ray . No , I'd love to . Well , I guess we get Marmite .
Speaker 3What , mark ? I love the fact that you had a point . Yeah , oftentimes you don't have a point , you go here's the point .
Speaker 2Well .
Speaker 1I missed the point .
Speaker 2The point is that people eat Marmite because that's what we do .
Speaker 1I think you're going to say they have one Marmite sandwich in their hand and a microphone in the other and they can eat while they're preaching .
Speaker 2No , but I'm saying you said it's cultural . Yeah , it's like cultural , so no one really likes it .
Speaker 1No , no , no , no , no , no . People love it . Since I've come over here , I eat peanut butter and stuff like that .
Speaker 4That's like baseball , what . It's just cultural . People don't actually like that . Amen .
Speaker 3If I brought in chili cheese dogs .
Speaker 2would you guys eat it here on the Herald While we did a podcast ? Bro , I can't eat it for another 50 years at least . What , Ray , Would you eat chili cheese dogs Just for your sake ? And look , you're talking to a guy who eats Big Macs . I love McDonald's . I can handle it . Weiner schlitzel Hypocrisy . Anyway , All right , friends , we have a comment . This is from Armored Slug . The Armored Slug most awesomely hilarious Bible-based podcast ever . I wonder what he thinks of it . Or she Living Waters has quite literally what ?
Speaker 1do you mean or she ? Is this your fear of gender problems ?
Speaker 2Armored Slug must be a man Living Waters has quite literally changed my life , and I know you guys hear that all the time . But hey , it's true and the truth is worth repeating , easy , I think I'm a lot like you . I talk a lot too , sorry , and I'm a bit obnoxious .
Speaker 1So she's asking for prayer she .
Speaker 2And I'm a bit obnoxious at times in a good way and I like to make weird sounds as well , but you show me that it's possible to be a good and faithful Christian while also having fun and being silly . Ray , I get into a lot of awkward situations , too often of my own doing Amen , but you prove that it is still possible to be a valuable servant used by God , even using those awkward circumstances to glorify God . Oscar , I sympathize with you because I don't understand all the references the guys make either , and I even , and even though I don't like coffee . Yes , I look up to your determination to defend what you believe . Mark , you think deeply about things , like I do .
Speaker 2What I need to work on , however , is also thinking before I speak , like you do . Like others have said , I always feel like I'm in the room laughing with you guys , and it's the best thing ever . Because of living waters , I have a deeper understanding of my faith and a deeper understanding of the Bible . If I ever get to meet you here on earth , I will hunt you down in heaven . If I don't get to meet you on earth , I'll hunt you down in heaven . Keep on marching . Wow , that's good .
Speaker 1You're going to cry on that one .
Speaker 2I cried on one earlier this morning that I will be , then subsequent ones . But , man , thank you so much . Yeah , very sweet , armor .
Speaker 4It's funny to call you armored slug after that I want that person to meet us in person and be like I'm armored slug We'll never forget that name .
Speaker 2So I'm slowly , but thank you . That really , really , really means a lot to us . Thanks for listening . Keep doing it . All right , france this podcast is brought to you by God has a wonderful plan for your life . Oh boy , you said that well the myth of the modern message . We should call it the myth of the modern massage Ray .
Speaker 1Yeah , when I give the book to somebody and they read the title , I think I want you to look at the picture , because the picture says what it's about Stephen being stoned to death . It's not a wonderful plan . Yeah , it's satirical . Yeah , it's satirical .
Speaker 2You know , ray , what I really do love about that book is its brevity . It's not a long , thick book . It's a great book . And the title , thank you . Yeah , the title is a draw , with the graphic on it of Stephen getting stoned . But , ray , that message has been very harmful .
Speaker 3My book yeah .
Speaker 2Yeah , it's destroyed lives , Ray in a great way .
Speaker 1Yeah , it's been a really harmful message to give people a wrong motive for coming to Christ .
Speaker 2Yeah , the God has a wonderful plan for your life .
Speaker 1Paul had a wonderful plan given to him King's stoning should break imprisonment and martyrdom . And so the Christian life is not a Smooth flight , it's a safe landing . That's the promise . That's not original .
Speaker 2Amen . You know , I was sharing with some friends the other day after the Lord knocked Paul off his high horse and he sent Ann and I to go pray for him . He said you know , he's going to be a servant of mine and he must see how many things he must suffer for my sake . Like that's a part of the announcement hey , paul , I've saved you now .
Speaker 2Guess what you know . But wait , there's more , there's more . Right , you get double . But it was a part of it and , man , that lie of everything just is hunky hunky dory . Yeah , hunky dory , hunky dory , it's really destructive . So anyway , check it out , friends , and don't forget the Living Waters mug . Look , you can drink and think of us and pray for us . You can't think , I think , that book's free . You can get it free , iba , I believe so .
Speaker 1No , I think you get a physical book free through the ministry , I think .
Speaker 3Well , I do know Right . What are you doing right now ?
Speaker 2Yeah , you can get them in bulk . I don't know about that Double check that I'm hearing a thousand bucks . Okay , don't forget the living waters . Mug yeah , you can pray for us friends as you look at the mug . Oscar , were you going to say something about the mug ? I just liked the way you said drink and think yeah drink and think yeah , don't forget that . And the Evidence Study Bible all at Living Waters .
Speaker 3That was actually pretty good , that was pretty good .
Speaker 1Wow , Oscar . Oscar doesn't know what's coming . I don't know . It's really quick Stand up .
Speaker 2All right friends . On to the topic of the day lessons from the life of Joshua . All together , joshua fought the battle of Jericho and Jericho Come on buddy .
Speaker 1I don't know the words .
Speaker 2Joshua fought the battle of Jericho and the world come tumbling down .
Speaker 1Yeah , that was a very comfortable song , Good job . Yeah , it's very famous . Anyone who's anyone knows this song . Wait , wait , wait .
Speaker 2Oscar , you've never heard the song . I didn't grow up a Christian .
Speaker 4So you have to remember . I know it's not even .
Speaker 1Christian , that's almost secular that song .
Speaker 2Yeah , the armored slug nailed you , man , you got to know these things . Sorry , armored slug . No wait , thank you , armored slug .
Speaker 1You'd never heard that song before .
Speaker 4No , no , have you ever heard the song .
Speaker 1It's very famous . Oh Sinner man , were you going to run to all on that day ? Call for the rocks . The rocks aren't going to hide you . That became a secular hit .
Speaker 4Really .
Speaker 1Yeah , about 400 years ago . It was amazing 400 years ago .
Speaker 2Well , I mean , it's hyperbole , oh yeah , hyperbole , Amazing grace , All right guys . So , Joshua , I love doing these characters , so do I . Yeah , because there's so much to talk about right .
Speaker 1Mark and Ray Amen .
Speaker 2So so much to talk about .
Speaker 1I've got nothing .
Speaker 2Yeah , that's what you were saying before we came on here , but you'll have a lot to say , no doubt . So Joshua first of all means Jehovah is his help , or Jehovah the Savior , beautiful . And Joshua is , besides Melchizedek he's the only guy that didn't have parents .
Speaker 1Ha , son of none . Yeah , he was a .
Speaker 2Catholic . Yeah , guys , we haven't done hardcore dad jokes in a while . We got to do that ?
Speaker 3Oh , we need to repent .
Speaker 2Yeah , we got to get back to that , anyway . Yeah , so Joshua , the son of none from the tribe of Ephraim , and of course he was born in Egypt and then was a part of the Exodus , and I messed up .
Speaker 4I have a friend of mine who listens to the podcast , who comes to our church , named Joshua . I thought this episode was about him .
Speaker 2That's why you got excited , so . So let me let me give us . I found a real good summation online . I'm just going to read it here . It's real short , but it'll set
us up .
Speaker 2And then what I want to do is I want to dive into a few highlights from Joshua's life and then just talk about those . So first , he's mentioned in connection with the fight against Amalek at Refedem , when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites . I was exited to 17 , 9 . Soon afterward , he was one of the 12 chiefs who were sent to explore the land of Canaan Numbers 13 , and one of the two chiefs who gave an encouraging report of their journey . I'm excited to talk about that . I know , ray , you're going to enjoy that part . Yes , and then Moses , shortly before his death , was directed to invest Joshua with authority over the people , and so that's kind of the highlight of his life . But I want to explore these things and look at them kind of deeply . But I want to look at first the account of the scouting out of the land . Let's see what happened with that . But , oscar , do you have something you want to say first about Joshua ?
Speaker 4Sure , yeah , because it looks like you had something to say . I love the idea of getting out and scouting out the land because there's something really interesting in there , but before that , yeah , I think , the book of Joshua . My focus is going to be on that and one of the things that's really important . As we read Old Testament stories , we have to be careful from turning these moments , these stories about people , into fables . Oftentimes you can look at Joshua and almost treat it like Aesop's fable . Here's a way to be a conqueror , to be militaristic , to be courageous , and there is an element of that in there . But if you don't miss what God is doing , you'll miss where it fits in the grand narrative and so on . That , no , anytime we're reading stories in the Old Testament stories about people or books we want to ask four questions . One how does it fit , or how is it moving along , the total story of God redeeming the world back to himself ?
Speaker 2Where does ?
Speaker 4it fit in the context of that . Two , how does this remind us of the gospel of grace ? Three , how does this prepare the way for Jesus ? And then the simpler one is biblically , what is this all about ? And so , yeah , it'll be exciting , as we walk through this , to use those as a backbone to flesh out the story of Joshua .
Speaker 2Amen , all right . So we're going to jump into the scouting out of the land . Of course , moses sent the spies and they came back to report . So we pick it up in numbers 13 , 27 to 31 . Then they told him and said we went to the land where you sent us . It truly flows with milk and honey and this is its fruit . Nevertheless , and whatever you see like nevertheless or however , or but right , there's something coming . Nevertheless , the people who dwell in the land are strong , the cities are fortified and very large . Moreover , we saw the descendants of Anac there .
Speaker 2The Melchites dwell in the land of the South , the Hittites , the Jebusites and the Amorites dwell in the mountains , and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan . Then Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said let us go at once and take possession , for we are well able to overcome it . But the man who had gone up with him said we are not able to go up against the people , for they are stronger than we . So then we pick it up in numbers 14 , beginning of verse one says so . All the congregation lifted up their voice and cried and the people wept that night and all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron , and the whole congregation said to them if only we had died in the land of Egypt , or if only we had died in the wilderness . Why has the Lord brought us to this land to fall by the sword that our wives and children should become victims ? Would it not be better for us to return to Egypt ? So they said to one another let us select a leader and return to Egypt .
Speaker 2Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly , the congregation of the children of Israel , but Joshua , the son of Nun , and Caleb , the son of Jefune , who were among those who had spied out the land toward their clothes , and they spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel , saying the land we pass through to spy out is an exceedingly good land . If the Lord delights in us , then he will bring us into this land and give it to us , a land which flows with milk and honey . Only do not rebel against the Lord , nor fear the people of the land , for they are our bread . Their protection has departed from them and the Lord is with us . Do not fear them . And all the congregation said to stone them with stones and kind of wraps up there .
Speaker 2So , ray , you often reference this . Actually , there are giants in the land and you reference Everybody's a giant to Ray , giants everywhere . But you reference this and the cowardice that these men had and how it affected the rest and we see how Joshua , and obviously Caleb with them , were a contrast to that .
Speaker 1I love the saying . It's an original . Keep your fears to yourself , share your courage with others , and that really is what we should all do .
Speaker 1We should always speak positively , because when we're talking about courage , we're talking about faith . The words are synonymous . So when you have faith in God , you're having courage in God . He's your strength , he's your shield , he's the one that's leading you and guiding you , and so you're fighting the good fight of faith . This is not a natural battle , it's a spiritual battle . So you keep your eyes on Jesus , the author and finisher of our faith .
Speaker 3Ray , would you say , courage is not the absence of fear , but Conquering of it . Now , that's not original either , but it's in one of my teachings .
Speaker 1I don't think I give reference to who said it . The person who said it , I've forgotten .
Speaker 4I'll take it . I'll take it , but it's so true .
Speaker 1You know , courage isn't the absence of fear , it's the conquering of it . So we all have fears , but you just shut your mouth when it comes to it , like a firefighter who's wanting to rescue people from 60 feet up a ladder . He has to go up the ladder , he's terrified , but he doesn't turn around and say to us , the other firefighters I'm terrified , I'm going home . He keeps his fears to himself , climbs that ladder , because he's not thinking of himself , he's thinking of the fate of the woman and child that's going to burn to death if he doesn't climb that ladder and save them and this whole thing of the land flowing with milk and honey . That's what we're working towards . We want to see people in heaven , not in hell .
Speaker 2Amen .
Speaker 1And so we want to conquer the land and any giants that come against us , and that includes their own fears , their own Goliath fears . We've got to conquer them .
Speaker 2Yeah , yeah , mark , you know . There's an account in the Old Testament where they were mustering the troops and they talked about those who shouldn't participate in battle were those who are faint-hearted because it might affect the rest , and there is something about the negative effects of allowing ourselves to walk in fear . Now , it's one thing to feel emotional fear . Right , I mean , you can't help it per se if you start to feel these feelings of fear , but it's what you do with it and how you get yourself to overcome it and to think of others as well in that regard .
Speaker 3Isn't it interesting ? In Revelation 21 , verse 8-ish or 9-ish , you know , it talks about how that if you're not courageous you won't be there , or how's that worded ?
Speaker 1Unbelievable . The fearful , the fearful .
Speaker 2Cowardly , unbelievable , Cowardly right .
Speaker 3They are not going to be there . There's something about being courageous , you know . There's something about , as we talked about in the last episode of stepping out of the boat , you know , stepping by faith . You know I've often asked people , you know , are you sure that's what God's calling you to do ? And a response is typically no , I'm not sure . But I'm walking by faith , I'm taking that step of faith and moving forward .
Speaker 3You know , and there was something where Joshua says in chapter 24 , verse 15 , but as for me and my household , we will serve the Lord that he continually was placed in situations where he should be fearful . Perhaps you know I mean dire situations and circumstances , but there was something that happened on that moment when , perhaps when he was with Moses and he went up to that mountain , moses wasn't alone . When he received the 10 commandments , joshua was with him , scripture tells us and when he sees Moses , his dealing with God , perhaps it was a turning place in Joshua's life as well that seeing people go before us and how they handle discouragement , how they handle cancer or financial difficulties , that it does something to us . So we want to walk through in disciple of the people and the way they should go , and I can't wait to see this story in full color when we get to heaven . Yeah , well done .
Speaker 4Love it , man
. And again , here's where , like the narrative that we find in the Old Testament really adds , brings color to a otherwise black and white picture , which is to remind ourselves , like through Genesis . In Genesis , god makes this Abrahamic covenant with Abraham , telling him that one day he's going to have a family that outnumbers the stars . Through Exodus , that family becomes a slave nation . In Lidaviticus and Deuteronomy and Numbers it becomes a great nation , but it still has no land . And then in Joshua and this is leading up to numbers here , numbers leading up to that this is on the precipice of them finally getting the land , finally seeing the Abrahamic covenant fulfilled .
Speaker 4And I love the way Mako Fujimora he's a theologian and an artist and in his book Art and Faith he talks about the sending of the spies and he says you know , anytime so here's the story that you just read these spies go into the promised land and they bring back fruit , they bring back something from a future place that God means to do something good . And Mako says anytime we do the will of the Lord . God is this creator , he's this maker . He's speaking from an artistic perspective . Anytime we go , we make excellent things . Anytime we do something to the glory of God . Anytime we preach the gospel to somebody , it is like we're tapping into heaven and bringing something back for them . We say taste and see , taste and see . We tap into . We act like spies , bringing back milk and honey for the world to see .
Speaker 2Wow , I love that . That's so good . Yeah , and Ray , you know what Joshua said here , I think , is really the key to what was going on . He said in verse nine he said only do not rebel against the Lord , nor fear the people of the land , and ultimately that's what it comes down to , right , like the time that you really know that your fear is sinful is in the face of being called to do something that God's called you to do and you don't want to do it .
Speaker 2I mean this so applies to evangelism in that sense , because that's what it is . We're terrified . We're looking all their giants right . I mean , we've talked about it before how our minds will kind of create a caricature of the person that we're trying to witness to , like this giant that's going to just bite us or something you know . But that's what it is . God has called us to go . The Lord has called us to speak truth in the midst of this wicked , perverse generation . God has called us to , you know , to take steps of faith in building His kingdom . But then we face those fears , but ultimately , if we don't do it , we're rebelling against the Lord .
Speaker 1Well , I mean , come on and take the gospel of every creature . I just think of him before we're talking about warfare and Joshua , how Gideon's army was whittled down to 300 people , I think and the way they chose the army were those who looked up when they were drinking from the water watching for the enemy . And that's what we've always got to do and realize that we fight a spiritual battle . We rest or not , against flesh and blood , against spiritual powers and wickedness and high places . So if we ever forget that , then we'll lean into our natural fears , not realize how spiritual this is . So that's why you've got to ignore fear , because that is probably the chief weapon of the enemy . Fear because it paralyzes .
Speaker 2It's a snare .
Speaker 1Yeah .
Speaker 2You know , and often , that fear is connected to man and what man can do to us .
Speaker 1But yeah , I've often thought about that . I like that verse easy . What can man do unto me ? Stone you to death , burn you alive , hang you by the neck torture you ?
Speaker 2Yeah , that's right . But having that heart and attitude that just says , Lord , you've called us to do this and here's what we feel , but here's what's right . It's amazing when you look back . Rachel and I were talking last night . That's your wife . Yeah , she had shared a message First wife . Yeah , she said I'm going to go for this Oscar's line . What's your line ?
Speaker 1Oscar .
Speaker 4This morning I came into the office and I said I took my ex-girlfriend out to dinner tonight last night and . Ray gave me this look and I go yeah , we've got three kids together .
Speaker 2She's no longer his girlfriend . She's his wife , she's his ex-girlfriend .
Speaker 3Thank you for qualifying that . She just built it out for 20% of her audience , exactly .
Speaker 2So yeah , but we were just talking and she's just sharing how she had shared something and thought it went a certain way , but then she listened to a recording and it actually wasn't as bad as she thought or whatever . And we just have to remember that , first of all , it's not based on our performance when it comes to sharing the gospel , thank the Lord , and secondly , man . The gospel is the power of God and the salvation , and we need to just understand that and just take that step . Like you say , ray , you don't give yourself time to think , because then you won't do it .
Speaker 1Yeah , I'd have shared it before . But when I've sent God to somebody like Home Depot , I have in the past put tracks on my inside pocket , and that's the fear of man doing that , because that gives me an excuse . I walk past someone and say , oh , I should , oh , it's in my pocket , I didn't have time .
Speaker 4That's what my flesh says Right .
Speaker 1So whenever I go to a place like Home Depot I carry my phone and tracks in the same hand . I've got my holster with my gun and ready to do a quick draw . That gets rid of the fear of man , because my flesh will find any way out possible .
Speaker 2So true , all right . So we see Joshua here as a kickoff , demonstrating courage in the face of discouragement , in the face of fear , and realizing wait , god can do this , let's do it . And so then , in Joshua 1 , 7 , and 9 , this is now Moses dying and he's commissioning Joshua and he says 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 . Have I not commanded you be strong and of good courage , do not be afraid nor be dismayed , for the Lord , your God , is with you wherever you go .
Speaker 1I love that good courage , because there is a bad courage . Can you think of a bad courage Having the courage to fly a plane into the twin town ? That's a bad courage . And the Bible speaks of a good courage .
Speaker 2That's good , mark . Two things here stand out to me I'd love you to touch on . One is the importance and the power of reminder . He's telling Joshua to be courageous . Joshua , he's a guy that he obviously tapped him as a leader for a reason , but he does it here twice . He says it at the beginning and then be very courageous and then be strong and of good courage , don't be afraid . So reminders are huge .
Speaker 3Paul said that , I think , to the church of Corinth . To write the same thing to you is not burdensome , but for your sake , it is safe . There's that repetition , there's that reminder . We need to continually be reminded and this is why we journal , this is why we set up altars , this is why we take notes inside of our Bible . We are reminded continually because we have the attention span of a net . Some of us , more than others , hurry up , mark , I get on it .
Speaker 3I like the portion that you read about a meditating day and night . There's a caveat attached to this . All these great things are going to happen , but listen , here's a catch . You got to be meditating day and night . You must be continually reminded of who God is and what he wants to do .
Speaker 3You know , when I speak at youth retreats and usually that last night everybody's kind of given their testimonies and how God moved the things that have happened in their life , the decisions that they're making , and then they come down the hill and reality kind of sets in and they're back with their old friends and they're back to watching movies that they shouldn't watch or listening to music that they shouldn't listen to . I said listen , guys , this is very easy . I'll just pause and think through what took place up here . Habits , that's exactly it . What you did up here was exactly the opposite of what you're maybe doing on the regular down the hill . So what did you do up here ? Well , you're doing Bible study twice a day . You're in small group talking about the things that you were learning . You're lifting up holy hands to God . You're in prayer , you're worshiping . You're not caught away with your phone in this endless cycle of real , after real , after real . So when you go down the hill , surround yourself with people who you could talk about the Lord with .
Speaker 3Now , go out and share the gospel , obviously , but your inner circle , your close friends , should be people who you could pour your heart out to . You should be in the word and the word should be in you . You should be learning a new song , you should be in prayer and if you do that , you're kind of meditating on God's word day and night . You'll be like that tree firmly planted by the rivers of water . You'll bring forth fruit and season , your leaf will not wither and whatever you do will prosper . Now , that's not to say that it'll look prosperous , but it will be prosperous because you're doing what God wants you to do . Amen To light yourself in the Lord , and he'll give you the desires of your heart .
Speaker 2Mark , that reminded me of Revelation . Or Jesus was talking in Revelation 2 to the church in Ephesus and he said , nevertheless , in verse four I have this against you that you have left your first love . Remember , therefore , from where you have fallen , repent and do the first works . And it's that reminder . And Jesus is saying remember , therefore , where you have fallen . And I love the exhortation you gave to that youth , like what were you doing at the point where you were most fired up for the Lord ? Do those and if you stray from them , return to them . It's not rocket science , that's right . Remember , repent , return , yeah , amen , yeah . So , ray , the other thing in here with Joshua is that he was exhorted by Moses to not turn away from the word of God , not to the right hand or to the left . The book of the law shall not depart from your mouth . You shall meditate on it day and night , that you may observe , and observe it according to all that is written in it . So the importance of being people who stick to God's word , amen .
Speaker 1Amen , amen , brother , amen , brother . Joshua is a type of Christ . Yes , he was a conqueror . He was a man of faith , a man who trusted God and a man whose law Joshua esteemed as Jesus was . I delight to do you will , oh my God , your law is written upon my heart . I'll preach righteousness in the great congregation , but I love the whole thought that Moses couldn't enter the Promised Land . Moses cannot take us to heaven . Law of Moses doesn't have that purpose . It's a school master to bring us to Christ . So Joshua is the one that led the children of Israel into the Promised Land , and Jesus is the one that leads us into heaven . Here's the way , the truth of life . So Moses can't help us , he just leaves us helpless . Jesus is the one that gives us grace .
Speaker 3Would you say that the law would bring us , or Moses would bring us to Calvary , but bring us no further .
Speaker 1Yes , that's it . So deal moody . So the law can only chase a man to Calvary , no further .
Speaker 2Yeah , I love that . Yeah , and man , again , that obedience to the Lord , I mean that's what then led to , I think , the next major event in Joshua's life , oscar , and that was when God parted the Jordan River and they walked on dry land . And again , that was a step of faith , right . I mean , at each turn , joshua was having to demonstrate dependence on God and heeding the word that he gave , because it hadn't happened yet . But God told him here's what's gonna happen . And so then he moves ahead , he leads the people in it , and I love that . He demonstrated such great leadership and that's key . For anything to succeed , you have to have good leadership . That's dependent on the Lord . But then , after they cross the Jordan , he tells them to set up those 12 stones to remember , so that they can tell successive generations .
Speaker 4And that crossing of the Jordan again , we talked about this in the last podcast episode . Ironically , that crossing the Jordan is symbolic as and literal . It's symbolic in that it's reminding God's people . Do you remember when I parted the Red Seas ? Having you escape from Egypt ? Is the seas chaotic ? It is dangerous . It will conquer you . I parted that and I brought you out of Egypt onto this journey . Here's this Jordan River . I'm gonna part that . Here's the Canaanites . That represents a sea of danger , something that feels overwhelming . If I parted this sea and that sea , will I not part the next sea too ?
Speaker 2Wow , that's great , all right . So then obviously in Joshua six we see the whole battle with Jericho and the walls down . Ray Comfort , what are you doing ? You and Mark are having your own little party over there You'll understand afterwards something very interesting's happened .
Speaker 1Is it good ? No , it's private . It's good , it's very good , but it's private . Oh what is it ? I can't tell . It's very interesting and very exciting and
it's good .
Speaker 3Can I point something else out here that's worthy of mentioning , please ? Have you ever noticed that the people that we really look up to , the saints of old or current , theologians , pastors , who are really used by God , that there's something in common between them and that they get up early to seek the Lord ? Yeah Right , in Joshua , chapter six , verse 12 , it says that Joshua got an early start when he prepared to capture Jericho . Wow , right , we have to early in the morning . Will I seek the Lord Jesus ? He got up before the sun came up in Genesis 19 .
Speaker 1Great while before day .
Speaker 3A great while . That is right . Abraham got up very early to stand before the Lord Genesis 19 . Genesis 28 , jacob woke up with the first light of the morning to worship God after having seen a vision of the angels in the night . Exodus 34 , moses went early to meet the Lord at Sinai . Judges 638, . Gideon made his way at dawn to examine the place he had placed on the ground to discern Jehovah's will , and Job went . Five . Job left his bed in an early hour to offer sacrifices to the Lord on behalf of his children . Wow .
Speaker 1You can't stand lying in bed .
Speaker 3Lying in bed . You can't stand lying and you can't stand a bed and you dig holes in your bed . So we understand .
Speaker 2Yesterday Ray , to complete my dying to myself with those three things I did I almost put it all in my bed .
Speaker 3I'm on Rachel's side , in case you don't like it .
Speaker 2That's funny , Mark . I love that you brought that out . You know this morning I got up really early and that's the rhythm of my life . I'd love to get up really early and Rachel Rachel sometimes harasses me for that . She says , no , you have to slide , we gotta get raced .
Speaker 3Now easy . There was a time when you had alarms set up , multiple alarms that would lead you on into the bathroom , on into the shower . You have to turn one off Because you slept so heavy .
Speaker 2Yeah , when we were kind of in the new years of our life , yeah , I would get up at 4 am . So I , but I , just I sleep very deeply . That's why I sleep , walk and talk and rap .
Speaker 1You're doing it now . Oh , that's funny , I'm still sleeping .
Speaker 2You've been asleep the whole time . That's right , but yeah . So I set five alarms trailing from my bed to my bathroom , and a light timer . So at 4 am the lights would go on in the room . And five alarms , you're poor wife . I know she needs a medal , but after time she wouldn't even wake up anymore . She got totally desatized . So I jump up and I just put so . By the time I'm at the bathroom , I'm awake .
Speaker 1Well , this should have been bought out before the wedding .
Speaker 4I know so , but I like the idea of at the end of the five alarms is just like a ball of tabooly what . That's what I gotta do .
Speaker 2No , but you know , but now , even to now though , I don't do that much , but I set my alarm away from my bed so that I have to get up . But this morning I got up and I felt dead , probably because of the winter snitzel and the coffee and the Marmite , but I just I reminded myself of . Any time I get back in that bed I regret it , and when I sit with the Lord and I get up early , it's the most wonderful thing in the world . What time do you typically get up ?
Speaker 3Four is my . Before what Before us , obviously , but what time do you get up Four , four , what , what ?
Speaker 2For beating you up . But I love it . What time do you go to bed ?
Speaker 3Like six , eight , three .
Speaker 2My aim is to get to bed at 10 , but it never happens . Usually 11 , 11 midnight . So yeah , I mean my sleep between four or five hours is typical , but we text each other at 2 am . That's true . There are times and sometimes I'll stay up late and I'll sleep in a little more , but I love it . And then I do power naps . I love power naps . You usually nap on your way to work . Power naps saved my life Seriously . 20 , 10 , 15 , 20 minutes that's not a pound nap , that's a snooze .
Speaker 1A pound nap for me is two minutes .
Speaker 2No right . You can fall asleep for two minutes . That's cause you were a squirrel over your past life . You just did a thing . Anyway , back to Joshua . But yeah , those reminders are huge for the next generations .
Speaker 1What were we talking about ? I was saying , yeah , that Joshua has alarms .
Speaker 2I do wanna point out .
Speaker 4Five minutes , I think , cause I know we're about five minutes from coming to an end . Spoiler alert . I do wanna point out . There is one person in the book of Joshua that the New Testament mentions more than it mentions Joshua . Do you know who it is ? Caleb Rahab .
Speaker 1Oh really .
Speaker 4Yep , the New Testament talks about Rahab more than it talks about Joshua , and I think that's important because often we can read ourselves in the story of Joshua as though we are the conquerors , but actually we wanna be the Rahabs of the story . I'm just gonna read to you what my commentary said this morning . It says Rahab gets it right when she says the Lord , your God . He is God in the heavens above , in the earth beneath . It goes on to say Rahab's monotheism is a great surprise . In the high point of the book , the Kenyanites were polytheistic , believing in a myriad of gods who were unjust , jealous and in competition . They were takers requiring even the sacrifice of children . According to the prophet Jeremiah , these idols , which are really nothing , quote have to be carried , for they cannot walk . Turning from false gods to the only true God is evidence of true salvation , just as it was for the first century Christians who turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God . Here's why I'm saying that Shortly after Joshua gets into the Promised Land , these people were constantly sinning against the Lord , they were constantly turning to false gods and they thought to themselves if only we can get there .
Speaker 4If only we can get there , then everything would be fine . If only we can get there , then our problems would cease . And how often do we get caught up in the idea of if onlys , if only these laws were enacted , if only we turned in this way , if only we elected this person , if only , if only , if only . The problem is when God's people got into the Promised Land , they realized they were the problem . The problem was not the land , the problem was their own hearts . And in the midst of that , rahab sees this and she repents of her idols and turns to the one true God . And then the New Testament calls her a hero of the faith . And so for us as believers , or even as a non-believer man , we need to constantly remind ourselves that the idols that affect us most are the idols in our own hearts .
Speaker 2That's so important ? Yeah , absolutely . And again , that's where we left off was Jericho and the step of faith it took to do what they did . And Joshua Levin , how silly . Walk around a wall every day for six days , on the seventh day , seven times and then shout really , yeah right , I mean , these were man . We've been to Jericho and archeologists , they testified to the fact that these were massive walls . And yet , that step of trusting the Lord , even though it seems silly , right , like Naaman , go ahead and dip in the . You know . No , what are you talking about ? We have better water run from , you know . But sometimes God asks us to do things we don't quite understand . And what I love with Rahab this is the one thing that really stood out to me was their faithfulness to keep their promise . They did it . They told her , we're gonna do it . They could have said cares what a harlot got us in there , or whatever you know , but no , they were faithful .
Speaker 1And remember that was a scalloped ribbon , speaking of the blood of Christ .
Speaker 2Yeah , amen , yeah , and so , then , the end of Joshua's life . We'll wrap it up here real quick , ray . I'd love you to touch on this . This is Joshua 23 . Joshua's , he says , I'm old , advanced in age .
Speaker 1Oh right , thanks . So yeah , go ahead , ray talk about that .
Speaker 2Me and Miss Luzla . I am old , advanced in age . You have seen all that the Lord , your God , has done to all these nations because of you , for the Lord , your God , is he who has fought for you and I love the fact that Joshua was a young man and an old body .
Speaker 1He still had that strength . Doesn't it say that somewhere he had that strength and energy ? That's what I'm praying . I don't really care what I look like , as long as I can think clearly and labor for the Lord .
Speaker 2Amen , yeah , and that I do care what I look like , but the realization Ray that God fights for us that it's all about him , it all goes back to him and he's reminding them . These are like his last words and he said a lot more . But remember , it's God who fights for you .
Speaker 1Yeah , amen , God before us . Nothing can be against us . If God's against us , nothing can be for us .
Speaker 2Yeah , I like that . Amen , yeah , and Mark , I love how it wraps up with Joshua Joshua 24 , 29 . Now it came to pass , after these things , that Joshua , the son of none , the servant of the Lord , died being 110 years old .
Speaker 3Younger than your father .
Speaker 2I was about to say , yeah , that's right . So my dad outlived Joshua 113 when he passed .
Speaker 3Yeah , listen , all of his works were prepared for him before time , just like us as believers . Ephesians 2 , 10 tells us that when your time is up , your time is up . And until then , stop acting as if your time is up . Stop pretending like your time is up and sidelining yourself from the fight and the battle . Get back in there , no matter what you've done , no matter where you've been and the vile things that you've tasted . Get back in there and trust the results to God .
Speaker 1Amen , you're talking about the Venus , not Joshua .
Speaker 2I thought you were talking about the Marmite .
Speaker 4I know I'm like ugh the vile things you've tasted the vile things I tasted , no matter the spoonful of Marmites you've had to shove down your mouth .
Speaker 2Yeah well , friends , we hope your hearts have been stirred . There's so much to gain from scripture . These things were written for our admonition , these things were written for our example , and we can learn from them and recognize it Again . Joshua was made of the same stuff we're made of . He was a man with flesh and blood . He had weaknesses , he had shortcomings , but he determined to trust the Lord , to be courageous in the face of things that were prone to make him fearful , and look what God did through his life , and I love the fact that really his epitaph , if you would , at the very end of his life is that he was the servant , the servant of the Lord . May you be the same friends . All right , friends , there you have it . Don't forget , god has a wonderful plan for your life . The myth of the modern message , living Waters , mugs and the evidence study Bible at livingwaterscom . This has been joyful today . We hope to see you here next time . Remember , give us those comments ratings . They're important . If you haven't done it , turn from thy sins .
Speaker 3I don't even know if I said that right , I don't know what to do with that .
Speaker 2Thank you for joining us , friends . We'll see you here next time on the Living Waters .
Speaker 1Dot com Pop .
Speaker 2Man , you messed me up . The Living Waters podcast , where we have no idea what we're doing . Pfft , pfft , ha , ha , ha , ha ha . Wrong one right .