TOPIC: SPIRITUAL RESOLUTIONS FOR THE NEW YEAR

TEXT: Joshua 1:6-9

INTRO:

How can we make the most of this upcoming year? How can we
most glorify God in a new year? The answer, in part, lies in Joshua
1:6-9: "Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people
possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to
all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn
from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success
wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may
be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will
make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or
be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

When Moses passed the baton of leadership on to Joshua before

he died (Deut. 34), Israel was at the end of its 40 year wilderness
wandering period ca. 1405 B.C. Joshua was approaching 90 years
of age when he became Israel’s leader. He later died at the age of
110 (24:29).

Joshua’s task was to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan and divide
the land between the 12 tribes of Israel.

His books tells that story: entering the land (1-5), conquering the
land (6-12), dividing the land (13-21), and beginning life as a nation
under God in the land (22-24).
How can we make the most of this upcoming year? How can we
most glorify God in a new year? The answer, in part, lies in Joshua
1:6-9:

These timeless commands have just as much bearing on our lives

today as they did when they were first issued to Joshua at this
pivotal moment in Israel’s history.

With many desires and resolutions for the new year, consider the
following to guide your focus toward Christ.
 1. BE STRONG IN THE LORD (vs. 6)
First, be strong in the Lord. Three times in rapid fire succession,
God said to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous” (vs. 6, 7, 9).

With many daunting challenges and imminent dangers ahead, this

newly-appointed leader had to remain strong in the strength that
God supplies.

The swelling Jordan, fortified cities, and swarming enemies would

all demand that Joshua be strong in his faith, if the mission was to
succeed.

Similarly, Paul challenges us: “Be strong in the Lord and in the
strength of His might” (Eph. 6:10). Again he says, “Be strong in the
grace that is in Christ Jesus” (2 Tim. 2:1). Those who are strong in
grace are divinely empowered for effective service.

A.W. Tozer writes: “The church at this moment needs men, the
right kind of men, bold men.

The talk is that we need revival . . . but God will not revive mice. He
will not fill rabbits with the Holy Ghost.”

In the overcoming strength of Christ, let us each be bold as a lion

(Prov. 28:1)! By meditating on the gospel and seeking the Lord
earnestly, we can be emboldened to enter a new year.
 2. BE STRAIGHT IN YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK (vs. 7)
Second, be straight in your spiritual walk. God continued in Joshua
1: “Be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My
servant commanded you.”

If Joshua is to be victorious, the Lord requires his full obedience.

He must “not turn” from the Word “to the right or to the left.”

That is to say, he must not be pulled aside to pursue the worldly

wisdom and pagan idolatry of the Canaanites.

Instead, Joshua—and all believers—must stay on the narrow path

in strict obedience. No matter the temptation or the trial, the Lord
has given us all we need to follow Him in true faith, repentance, and
obedience.

3. BE SATURATED WITH THE WORD (vs. 8)

Third, be saturated with the Word of God. God commanded Joshua
that the Word must “not depart from your mouth.”

He must be so full of Scripture that whenever he speaks to address

God’s people, divine truth must flow from his lips. Such straight talk
necessitates that he “meditate” on the Word, constantly pondering
its truths and absorbing it with his mind.

In a world full of distractions, meditation is a lost art. Without this

vital focus, all other spiritual successes are misdirected and futile.
This year, endeavor to dig deeper into the Word of God than you
ever have before.

In 2023, determine to be men and women of the Bible.

• Hearing the Word (Jer. 3:15)
• Reading the Word (Deut. 17:19)
• Studying the Word (Prov. 2:1-5)
• Memorizing the Word (Ps. 119:11)
• Meditating on the Word (Josh. 1:8)
• Doers of the Word (Jam. 1:22)

4. BE SUSTAINED BY THE LORD'S POWER (vs. 9)

Fourth, be sustained by the Lord’s power. God promised Joshua:
“[I] will be “with you wherever you go.”

The Lord pledges to go before him and walk beside him, to protect
and provide for him. God will be ever-present and all-sufficient to
supply all that Joshua needs to be victorious, within the will of God.

Even so, God is with us in every step of life’s journey. Keeping any
resolution is possible only with the indwelling power of the Holy
Spirit.

It is by His guidance and strength that we will be sustained one

more year––as we grow in our communion and love for our God.

As we look upon new challenges and joys in the coming year, may
you love and honor Christ anew with a deepening resolve to glorify
Him.

CONCLUSION:
I hope and I pray, our resolutions every year is the same.
1. BE STRONG IN THE LORD
2. BE STRAIGHT IN YOUR SPIRITUAL WALK
3. BE SATURATED WITH THE WORD
4. BE SUSTAINED BY THE LORD’S POWER