Title: “Be Strong and Obedient”

Preacher: Venerable Dr. Jeffery Anyeneh

Text: “Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or the left.” – Joshua 23:6 (KJV)

 

Introduction

Brothers and sisters, today I want to take you back to a time when Israel stood at a critical point in their journey—a time when Joshua, their faithful leader, had reached old age. The battles for the Promised Land were behind them, and God had been faithful to give them victory. But as Joshua looked around, he saw that the greater challenge was just beginning—the challenge to remain faithful, the challenge to obey God’s commands without him there to lead them.

And so, in Joshua 23, we read his farewell speech to the people of Israel. Today, we are going to focus on verse 6, where Joshua calls the people to “be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.” It’s a powerful reminder for them, and it’s just as powerful for us today.

 

Be Courageous

Joshua begins by saying, “Be ye therefore very courageous.” Now, church, think about that for a moment. Why does Joshua, a man who has led armies, conquered cities, and stood against giants, talk about courage here? It’s because Joshua knew that the hardest battle wasn’t over land or against enemies—it was the battle to stay faithful to God.

You see, it takes courage to walk the path God has called us to walk. It takes courage to live a life of obedience when the world around us pulls us in the opposite direction. Israel would be surrounded by nations with different gods and different values, and Joshua knew they needed boldness to remain set apart.

Friends, we are no different. Every day, we face choices that test our commitment to God. It takes courage to live for Christ in a world that often pushes us away from Him. It takes courage to stand up for what is right, to love when it’s easier to hate, to forgive when the world tells us to hold a grudge.

– Ask yourself today: Where in your life is God calling you to be courageous? Is it in your faith, your family, or your workplace? Wherever it is, remember that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s trusting God in the face of it.

 

Obey the Word Completely

Next, Joshua tells them to “keep and do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses.” Church, notice he says “all.” Not some, not most—all of it. Joshua knew that Israel couldn’t pick and choose which parts of God’s law to follow. Partial obedience is still disobedience.

And it’s the same for us today. God’s Word is not a suggestion; it’s our guide for life. We can’t cherry-pick the parts we like and ignore the rest. It’s easy to follow God when it’s comfortable, but the real test is when it’s inconvenient or when it challenges us.

– Let me ask you: Are there areas in your life where you’ve been selective in your obedience? Maybe you’ve followed God in some things but held back in others. Joshua’s call is for complete obedience, and that’s what God desires from us today.

 

Stay Focused: Don’t Turn Aside

Joshua continues by saying, “that you turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.” He’s urging them to stay focused, to stay on the path. Church, let me tell you something—distractions are dangerous. Even a small step of course can lead us far away from God.

For Israel, the temptation would be to follow the customs and practices of the nations around them, to turn aside from God’s commands and embrace idols. For us, distractions might look different, but they’re just as dangerous. Maybe it’s the pursuit of wealth, the desire for approval, or simply the busyness of life. Whatever it is, anything that pulls us away from God’s Word is a distraction.

– Ask yourself today: What distractions are pulling you away from God’s path? Are there things in your life that have taken your focus off Him? Joshua calls us to fix our eyes on God and not turn aside.

 

Remember God’s Faithfulness

Finally, Joshua’s charge is grounded in one key truth: God has been faithful. In verses 3-5, Joshua reminds the people that it was God who fought for them, God who gave them the victory. Israel had seen God’s faithfulness firsthand. And because of that, they were called to be faithful in return.

Brothers and sisters, God has been faithful to us, too. He has provided for us, protected us, and brought us through battles. And just as He was faithful to Israel, He will be faithful to you. But our response to that faithfulness must be obedience.

– Let me challenge you: Take a moment to reflect on God’s faithfulness in your life. Where has He shown up for you? And in light of that, how is He calling you to respond in obedience?

 

Conclusion

Joshua’s farewell to Israel is as relevant to us today as it was to them. His words call us to be courageous, to obey God’s Word fully, and to stay focused, not turning aside. And we do this not out of fear but as a response to God’s incredible faithfulness.

As we leave here today, I want you to take Joshua’s words to heart. Be courageous. Walk in obedience. And stay the course, knowing that God is with you every step of the way, just as He was with Israel.

– I leave you with this question: Where do you need to show more courage in your walk with God? Are there areas where you’ve turned aside? Let today be the day you renew your commitment to follow Him fully.

May God bless you and give you the strength to live out His Word. Amen.

 

Closing Prayer

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word today. Thank You for the reminder to be courageous, to obey You fully, and to stay on the path You’ve set before us. Lord, we confess that at times we’ve turned aside, distracted by the world around us. We ask for Your forgiveness and Your strength to walk faithfully in obedience to You.

Help us to be bold in our faith, trusting in Your faithfulness as we face the challenges of life. Give us the courage to stand firm, the wisdom to follow Your Word completely, and the focus to remain steady in our journey with You.

May Your Spirit guide us and strengthen us in all that we do, that we may bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.