I. Introduction
A. The Loneliest Job in America
1. Steve Fuller most likely has the loneliest job I’ve ever read about. Each year, he arrives at Yellowstone National Park in November and doesn’t leave until a snowplow can reach him. His job? He takes care of about 100 buildings by shoveling snow off them to prevent the roofs from collapsing under the weight of the 150 inches of snow they receive in the winter. He is cut off from humanity for a long period of time.
2. Here’s the really crazy thing…he’s been doing it for 51 years!
B. God is with little ole me, really?
1. When we approach the idea of God being with us we often examine the name Imanuel, which means God with us in reference to Jesus coming to earth to live among us to fulfill the Father’s will to redeem mankind.
2. However, in our passage tonight, God is speaking directly to Joshua. He is telling Joshua that He is with him specifically.
3. Have you ever thought about how God is with you?
C. Background
1. Our passage is found in the Lord’s commission of Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites.
2. He is to take them into the land of Canaan.
3. As God commissions Joshua, He tells him to be strong and courageous three times.
4. In verse 5, He tells him, “…I will not leave you or forsake you.”
5. It’s a comforting thought to consider that God is with me, but how is that possible?
II. How is God With Me?
A. God is with Me in His
1. God is in our lives through His Word.
a. Several times in God’s Word, His people are reminded that God is with them. (Moses-Exodus 3:12; Gideon-Judges 6:12, etc.)
b. Notice that in verses 7-8, God commands Joshua to observe His Word. He tells Joshua to meditate on the Law.
c. In our modern world, meditation often involves emptying one’s mind, but in this case, God instructs Joshua to fill his mind with the Law.
d. and solitude are aspects of our Christian lives that we could benefit from more today. We could use more quiet time with God.
e. If we’re always in motion, we miss God’s voice.
f. Later, the kings would be instructed to transcribe the Law of Moses to remind themselves of its contents. (Deuteronomy 17:14-20)
g. Psalm 119:15 I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.
2. God’s Word reminds us that He is with us because He has spoken it to us.
B. God is with Me in His
1. There are several passages that remind us that God dwells within us, both as a congregation and .
2. In Acts 2:38, the promise is made that those who repent and are baptized will be saved and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
a. This was a promise of old when the time of the Messiah would come.
b. When Peter speaks in Acts 2:17-18, it is a quote from Joel 2:28-32. The context of that passage is about the coming day of the Lord and the repentance that God is calling His people to. Those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved from destruction and delivered by the Lord.
c. Peter was telling them that even though they had killed the Messiah, God would not abandon them, but rather, inhabit them if they were willing to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.
3. There are many passages that remind us that God’s Spirit dwells within the believer.
a. Romans 8:9
b. Romans 8:16
c. 1 Corinthians 6:19
d. 2 Corinthians 1:22
e. 2 Corinthians 5:5
f. Ephesians 1:13-14
g. Ephesians 3:16
h. 2 Timothy 1:14
4. That means that wherever you and whatever you , God is with you. You are never alone.
5. Illustration: Maybe somewhere along the way in life, you had a blanky, a wooby, etc. As children, we are looking for something familiar in an increasingly changing life. We become attached to these objects because they bring us a sense of certainty. But at some point, we have to give them up.
6. We never have to give up God’s presence in our lives when we have His Spirit within us.
7. Again, wherever you and whatever you , God is with you. You are never alone.
C. God is with Me in His
1. The Spirit of Christ is among us. (1 Corinthians 3:16)
2. The one another passages are powerful reminders to us of our responsibilities to one another. A sampling of those responsibilities:
a. Live in with one another (Romans 12:16)
b. one another (2 Corinthians 13:11)
c. Serve one another (Galatians 5:13)
d. with one another (Ephesians 4:2)
e. Be to one another (Ephesians 4:32)
f. one another (Ephesians 4:32)
g. Admonish one another (Colossians 3:16)
3. When we separate ourselves from the body of Christ, we harm ourselves and the church.
a. We lose connection
b. We lose accountability
c. We lose responsibility
d. We lose survivability
4. One of the times that Joshua is told to be strong and courageous is when the people say it to him (Joshua 1:18). They were telling Joshua that they believed he could lead them because they believed God was with him, like He was with Moses.
5. God has given us a great gift in the church so that we never have to do life alone. He has given us a family to experience both the good and the bad in this life.
III. Conclusion
A. Never Alone
1. Stever Fuller makes the most of his time in the lodge in Yellowstone. He has had several stunning photographs published in National Geographic. While he has never experienced cabin fever, he has learned a lot about listening.
2. He doesn’t consider himself a hermit; he believes solitude has made him a better listener when around others.
3. Perhaps it takes some alone time to truly understand that we are never truly alone. God is with you!
B. Invitation