Honor you, Lord God, and bring you glory. I need you for all things, Lord. In Jesus' name, amen. Okay, first of all, I'll tell you a story where it started. When I was about seven or eight, Tommy and Henry's age, my girl Mary wrote Joshua 1-9 on a piece of cardboard and gave it to me in my first wallet. And I had this verse in there, and I had it for like 20 years, this verse. And I kept it with me wherever I went, where my license was. So before my wrestling matches and boxing matches, I used to read it, give me confidence. But later when the Lord called me to preach, I kept seeing this verse everywhere, right? I signed up for school, but there was a problem. Speaking in front of people was a big problem for me. Panic stricken. So, signed up for school. I'm like, I don't know how I'm going to do this. I'm like, God, how am I going to do this? Like, I love studying the word more than anything else, but how am I going to preach? This verse kept showing up, kept showing up. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid nor dismayed. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. This verse, God gave me this verse to catapult me into giving me confidence to be able to come up here and preach. It's amazing that God, the same verse that God used for Joshua. Here's a scripture reading. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth. You shall meditate on it day and night, so you be careful to do according to all that is written in it. Then your ways will be prosperous and you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. All right, let's get into context in this setting here so we can grasp the intended meaning in God's call to Joshua. We see in scripture that Joshua shared a bond like a father and son with Moses, like Timothy and Paul. We see in Exodus 24, 13 that Joshua was no stranger to leadership. He served closely under Moses. He remained, this is what it says in Exodus 33, 11, Joshua remained in the tent of meeting while Moses went in to meet God face to face. See, Joshua wasn't satisfied. He wanted to know God himself. So he walked partway up Mount Sinai with Moses. He led Israel against battle, against Amalek. He was one of the twelve spies that scouted the promised land. So, this moment revealed the heart of a leader who trusted God's promises. The battlefield taught him courage, Moses taught him wisdom, but God's presence taught him obedience. Just imagine this, guys. Try to put yourself in this position right here. The great Moses, the man who confronted Pharaoh, split the Red Sea, met God on the mountain. He's now dead. The people of Israel are mourning, but the mission is far from over. They've wandered in the wilderness for 40 long years, and now they stand on the edge. the edge of the promised land. Behind them lies a generation buried in the sand for their unbelief. Ahead of them are walled cities, giants, and the Jordan River, and a fight that's gonna test everything in them. Joshua, once a military commander, is now called to lead the entire nation. But this is different. The weight of leadership is crushing. He's following in the footsteps of a legend. Imagine following Moses' footsteps. The Lord knows what's in his heart, fear, uncertainty, maybe even a sense of unworthiness. So God speaks not to boast Joshua's self-esteem or his ego, but something far greater, his unshakable word, God's presence in God's word. So this is a moment where God gives Joshua fuel for the mission, because true strength isn't found in confidence. It's found in obedience. And courage doesn't come from within. It comes from the only one that can give it. The only one that's with us, and the only one that can give us strength. You know, we stand on the edge of battles every day. Every day we battle. Every day. But the same word that strengthened Joshua is the same word that strengthens us. The same God that goes with Joshua is the same God that's with us. But now He lives in us. You know, I know we know this, and I know the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit. But if we could really grasp God in us, do you know how much more confidence I think we all have? How much less we would sin? All right, let's break this down, each verse. Let's start at the beginning of verse 8. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth. You shall meditate on it day and night. This command implies constant verbal engagement with scripture, speaking it, reading it, teaching it, deeply resonating on it. Daily meditation so that your life consistently conforms to God's law. And shall not depart from your mouth. Years ago when I read this, I'm thinking, why? I'm supposed to talk about it, right? And we are, yes. It actually means don't stop talking about it. It's an idiomatic Hebrew expression is what it is. So we must have ongoing study if we're going to be grounded in scripture. We can't not occasionally not passing, but constant study in scripture. How are we going to know God if we're not studying his word? Not just rushing through a morning devotional so you can check a box or, you know, your daily, your Bible reading year in a plan, you know, because that comes like a chore. When you're hungry, you crave God's word and you want to know him more. That's when you learn. If you don't know the word, sin will own you and lust will be your master. But when the word fills your heart, you find true freedom in Christ. Please hear me on this. Knowledge is so important. Knowledge is so important. If you don't have any, you're just listening to what other people say. We must do our own research. Always do your own research. Make sure everything lines up with scripture. The original Hebrew actually paints a picture of ongoing meditation, not just reading it or knowing about it, but repeating it, chewing on it, living in it. Every decision we make must be based on the word of God. The Puritans called this biblical saturation, which meant soaking your soul in scriptures, God commands steady meditation of his word, because the moment we neglect it, our memory dulls. I know when I memorize scripture, if I don't stay in it, I'll forget it. It needs constant meditation, living in it. Calvin said, stop studying for a while, and you'll drift into like a beginner who's never learned. And he also said, to treat this study as unimportant is something but pride and blindness. You see, this isn't about This is about feeding on it as your bread. Listen to what Job said. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips. I have trusted the words of his mouth more than my portion of food. Without it, you have no direction. You're disarmed. You're defenseless. With it, you are armed with the sword of the spirit. When it says in Ephesians 6, 10 about suiting up in full armor, we have one offensive weapon. That is the sword of the spirit. Look at Jesus when he went out, when he was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. What did he say? Every time the devil come in, what did he say? It is written. It is written. It is written every time. This shows us how important it is, you guys, to know scripture. And if you feel spiritually dead and your prayers are weak, let me ask you something. Is your book open or is it shut? You cannot expect strength in the spirit of God if the word of God is sitting around collecting You shall meditate on it day and night. Listen what the psalmist writes in 119 and 11 through 16. I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Blessed are you, O Lord, teach me your statutes. With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. In the way of your testimonies I delight in as much as all riches. I will meditate on your precepts. I will fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes and I will not forget your word. You know, it takes discipline. It's warfare in the secret place. That's where we truly grow, when it's just us and God. When you read your Bible, it's you and God, and you're learning. Because the Word's living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword. I'll get into that in a minute. But real courage is born in the secret place. It's when you die on your own, you go crucify your flesh, and you live for the Word of God. And you stay in it. It trains us, corrects us. rebukes our sin, restores our hope, it strengthens our faith, it equips us for every good work, it comforts the brokenhearted, it convicts the rebellious, calls us into a deeper fellowship with Christ, it cuts through every excuse, it lays bare every hidden thought. When a man comes under the authority of scripture, he is confronted with a truth that cannot be ignored, and grace cannot be earned. Think about it. This verse is so important. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing through the divisions of your soul and your spirit, your joints and your marrow, discerning the thoughts and intentions of your heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to him whom we must give an account. I think a lot of us forget we have to give an account. Don't just read it. Wrestle with it, like Jacob did, until it leaves you changed. This book is everything, it's life. The world says meditation is about emptying your mind. Biblical meditation is about filling your mind with the truth of God till your thoughts become obedient to Christ. Success according to heaven is not the applause of man. This is where the world gets it wrong. They say, dig deep. Find your inner power. You are enough. Believe in yourself. You know, that's the gospel of humanism. And that will damn your soul straight to hell. It's about dwelling in it. It takes turning off the noise, searching the word of God with a hungry heart. Let me put it this way. You cannot stand strong in the spirit if you're still bound to your flesh. And you can't walk in power if you're living in compromise. You cannot fight hell if your soul is starving. Don't be a Sunday Christian. Strive to be somebody after God's own heart. Strive to be more for Him. He is worthy. Every time our heart beats, He allows it. Let's give Him all of us. Courage grows through obedience. But let's all remember, it's never rooted in willpower. not impressed by your platform or swayed by your gifts if your private walk is polluted. He is a searcher of hearts. Obedience is not legalism. It's love in action. You know, I hate when people tell me obedience and repentance are legalism. No, it's not. God calls us to obedience and he calls us to repent. It's not legalism. If you say so, then you're saying Jesus is a legalist. Jesus says, if you love me, you'll keep my commandments. If your theology makes you soft on sin, it's not biblical grace, it's devilish counterfeit. Let's never forget that a grace that saves is a grace that sanctifies. One of my favorite quotes of all time right here, Thomas Brooks, Puritan. He said, it is not the bee's touching of the flower which gathers honey, but her abiding for a time on the flower which draws out the sweet. It is not he who reads most, who will prove to be the choicest, sweetest, and wisest, strongest Christian. You know, we can't cherry pick verses. We can't pick and choose. God's not honored if we obey him in some areas while resisting him in others. That's not obedience. That's negotiation. And God's not down on negotiation. It's not surrender. It's rebellion wearing church clothes. And we see it all the time. Pastors bending and folding because they want the approval of man instead. They went to gathering in their church. You know, they've been. Men of God should never bend. We live in a generation that treats the Bible like a buffet line. We want the blessing, but not the command. We want the promises, but not the precepts. Too many people try to turn Jesus into somebody he's not. You know why? Because they don't know the Word of God. over it. But I've learned this, the victory belongs to the Lord. And when he calls you to do something, he's going to empower you to do it. I knew the Knights of the 18th Challenge, they suffered being lonely, thinking that your mind's just going crazy. I know them feelings. And I was hopeless. I felt so hopeless. But God reached his hand out and just said, obedience. It's obedience. Stay obedient. And God You'll fulfill your calling. The world says climbing higher, earning more, living better. That's not it. Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of our holy God, for he is worthy. Let me ask you this minute, God. Is your soul prospering? Not your business, not your social media, not your bank account. Is your conscience clear? Are you walking in holiness? Is Christ enough? Is He your treasure, even if you lose everything? I pray He is, because if not, you're really not His. Through surrender, not striving. Through holiness, not hustling. God never commands us to have courage without supplying it for us, ever. And he's not interested in blessing rebels with worldly success. He's committed to blessing obedience with spiritual fruit. You know, the devil does not tremble at your strength whatsoever. He trembles at your God. You don't obey once. Let me say this again. You obey daily, trusting that God will give you what you need when you need it, and bless your path in His perfect will. your eyes fixed on the things that are above, not the things that are on earth. Your marriage may not be perfect, your health may not be stable, but if you're walking in obedience, filled with the Spirit, loving his word, clinging to the cross, you're prosperous. And no man, no demon, no hardship can take that away from you. The Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Not just when everything's easy, he's with you in the When the Lord is near, fear loses its grip. When the Lord is near, demons flee, sin flees, demons tremble, and the heart of a believer burns with the Holy Fire. Listen guys, God predestined you before the foundation of the world. Let's quit giving the enemy time. He's taken enough. He's taken enough time. Let's stop letting the devil win. He's been deceiving man for thousands of years. He's not worth a second. And notice something crucial. This is the third time God gives us command. Courage isn't natural, it only comes from God. It only comes from God. If he calls you to be strong, he'll give you strength. If he calls you to stand, he'll uphold you. If God guides you to it, I guarantee he's gonna guide you through it. Real courage is not self-confidence. It's dependence on a holy God. Resting in his presence. Trusting in everything he says. Getting to know him. The more you study his word, the more you fall in love with him. The more you fall in love with him, the more you want to do his will. Because I've never, until about four and a half years ago, God grabbed hold of my heart. I searched for him for years. I'm saying four and a half years ago is when he grabbed hold of my heart. I've never had peace until then. Ever. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Peace is a beautiful comfort from the Lord. I never knew it existed, to be honest with you. Fear is a liar. It tells you that God has forgotten you. Dismay is a thief. It drains your strength and robs your vision. It is not your surroundings that determine your courage. It is your companion. If the Almighty walks beside you, then every enemy is already defeated. Let's keep our faith. And the sons walk in confidence with their father and near. Every son I know, when their dad's near, they walk in confidence. You must be strong, not in self, but in grace. Must be courageous for the glory of Christ. Let's lean on our father, people. Let's stay in his word. Let's trust his promises. When fear comes knocking, answer with faith. When doubt whispers, shout back the scripture. And when the devil accuses you guys, run to the blood of Jesus. And I'm telling you, every answer you're looking for is in the word of God. That biblical saturation that the Puritans talk about, let's work on that until it leaves us chained. Heavenly Father, thank you so much for this church. We love you, we need you, we adore you, God. Help us not just to listen to everybody. Help us to listen to you through your word, because we know that's 100% truth 100% of the time. Keep the evil one away from us this week, Lord. Please help the guys at Teen Challenge. Give them hope, Lord. Just give them hope, Lord. Amen.