Joshua 1:1-9

{Prayer}

            Show of hands … how many of you remember learning how to ride a bike?

There’s a progression when it comes to riding a bike, right? I doubt any of us started off on a two-wheel bike. We all start with the ones that we move with our feet like Fred Flintstone. We progress to a tricycle. Then we move up to the big two-wheel bike but of course it comes with a solid set of training wheels. Slowly those wheels get moved up higher and higher off the ground. And then comes the big day … the day the training wheels come off.

I remember holding the seat of my kid’s bike as they rode down the sidewalk. They were shaky. They were scared. If I said I was going to let go they would panic and beg me not too. I’d reassure them, “I’m right here! You can do this!” Sometimes I would let go and they would wobble and I’d catch them if they started to fall.

Then after a while, I’d hold their seat, run with them, tell them I was going to let go, and then let go despite their pleas for me not too. I would still be running along them to catch them, but also to show them that they were doing it all on their own. And then came the day where I was no longer needed. They hop on their bikes and away they went.

Joshua, from our Old Testament reading, had a moment, a progression like this. For years, Joshua served as Moses’ assistant, as Moses’ right-hand man. Joshua saw the parting of the Red Sea, Moses carrying the tablets containing the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai, and the rebellious nature of the Israelite people.

You could say that being Moses’ assistant is like learning how to ride a bike. Moses didn’t just give Joshua the big two-wheel bike, start him at the top of a mountain, give him push and say “Have at it, you’ll do fine!” No. Had he done that, Joshua would have instantly crashed and burned.

Instead, Moses took Joshua under his wing and started him off slow. Over the forty years in the wilderness, Joshua grew in his responsibilities and was able to take on more and more and help Moses in other ways. Joshua would take on leadership roles, especially while Moses was away on the mountain talking with God. Joshua progressed from the tricycle to the big two-wheel bike with training wheels. Over time, those training wheels were moved higher and higher.

Then towards the end of the book of Deuteronomy, Joshua is told that it’s time for the training wheels to come off. Moses knew his earthly time was coming to an end and someone needed to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. That someone was Joshua.

But again, God didn’t just sit Joshua on the big two-wheel bike on the top of a mountain, give him a shove and say, “Have at it, you’ll do fine!” No, God specifically spoke to Joshua and reassured him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5).

God goes on telling Joshua, “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land” (1:6). This isn’t, “Good luck, Joshua! Have at it, you’ll do fine!” No, this is God saying, “It’s time to man up Joshua! It’s time for you to step into what I have prepared you for … not because you’re enough on your own, but because I am with you.” The training wheels are off and Joshua is peddling and riding the bike … but God is still right there beside him to catch him if he fell.

Joshua didn’t become the man because he took charge. He became the man because God made him to be. God gave Joshua His Word, His presence, and His promise.

The turning point for Joshua’s life wasn’t him saying, “Alright, I’ve got this. I can do this. I will do this.” No, the turning point in Joshua’s life was listening to God’s Word. You see, God doesn’t just tell him to be strong and courageous … God tells him why. God says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged” why … “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (1:9).

Joshua is not strong enough to lead Israel to victory. But God sure is. Joshua’s role in leading the Israelites into the Promised Land is not to be the Savior of the people … it’s to serve as God’s servant. And here’s the twist … God is actually the one serving Joshua so that Joshua can serve others.  

The same thing is true with our confirmands today. They are not going to be standing up here simply because they passed all their tests, correctly answered all the questions on questioning night, not because they read their well-crafted faith statements. They are going to stand up here because God has claimed them in their Baptism, spoken to them in His Word, and promises to go with you … wherever you go! As they ride on in their journey … God is still right there, running alongside them. And when they stumble and fall … God will carry them through.

 It’s a milestone day for our confirmands but … there is a great reminder in this day for all of us. Confirmation is not graduation. Confirmation is not the finish line of faith. If anything, it’s a launching point. It’s the moment when young believers publicly affirm the faith given to them in their Baptism. It’s a step into the life of faith with a greater sense of awareness and responsibility.

Like learning how to ride a bike … this new season of faith will at times feel unstable. But the strength to push on isn’t found in your balance … it’s in your Heavenly Father’s hand that is holding onto the seat. He doesn’t put you on the bike, shove you down the mountain and say, “Good luck! Have at it, you’ll do fine!” No. Instead God says, “Be strong and courageous. I’m right here. I’ve got you!”

You don’t ride to earn God’s love … you ride because you already have it.

And while this is a milestone day for our confirmands … this message isn’t just for them. Each of us have been through or are going through a season where the road looks a bit rough, hard, and uncertain. We all have been given different callings. Callings at work, at home, here in our church.

In the midst of those different callings, in the midst of different times of our life, like Joshua, looking at what is ahead … we too may very well wonder … “Am I strong enough? Am I brave enough?”

The answer to questions like these is … “No. No, you’re not strong enough or brave enough on your own. But with God at your side … yes, yes you are strong enough and brave enough.”

Joshua, with the help of God, led the Israelites into the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Jesus is a greater Joshua. Jesus is a greater Joshua because Jesus isn’t just leading us into a promised land … He’s leading us into eternal life. Jesus was strong and courageous as He traveled through the dark valley of our sin to the cross. Even there on the cross, Jesus did not give up. He fought for the forgiveness of your sins till His dying breath. For Jesus … the training wheels were off, but He was all alone. Forsaken even by His own Heavenly Father.

But this same Jesus, who traveled through the dark valley of our sin, continued on that journey and came out on the side victorious as He rose from the dead Easter morning.

And because Jesus lives, everything changes for us. The training wheels are off, but you are not alone. Jesus by His Holy Spirit goes with you. He feeds you with His body and blood. He speaks to you in His Word. And He goes with you … wherever you go. Amen.

The peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus our Lord, now and forever. Amen.