"I GOT YOUR 6!" Pastor Albert Almore
They did everything together. Not only did they do everything together, they also went everywhere together. While everyone else was playing X box, and play station, and trying to get as many followers on Tik Tok or on the Gram as they possibly could—this young kid Joshua was following this old man by the name of Moses around. Exodus 24:13 says,
"So Moses and HIS ASSISTANT JOSHUA SET OUT, and Moses climbed up the mountain of God.”
Exodus 24:13 NLT
“Moses TOLD THE ELDERS, “Stay here and wait for us until we come back. AARON and HUR are here with you. If anyone has a dispute while I am gone, consult with them.””
Exodus 24:14 NLT
The elders, the other leaders didn’t go. Aaron, his right hand man didn’t make the trip. Hur, one of his trusted warriors didn’t make the journey either. It was only Moses & this young lad by the name of Joshua. They did everything together, they went everywhere together. It’s no wonder that BEFORE MOSES PASSED AWAY, Deuteronomy 31:7 says,
“Then Moses called for Joshua, and AS ALL ISRAEL WATCHED, he said to him, “Be strong and courageous! FOR YOU WILL LEAD THESE PEOPLE into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. YOU ARE THE ONE who will divide it among them as their grants of land.”
Deuteronomy 31:7 NLT
A couple of chapters later, Deuteronomy 34:5-6 reads,
“So Moses, the servant of the Lord, died there in the land of Moab, just as the Lord had said. The Lord buried him in a valley near Beth-peor in Moab, but to this day no one knows the exact place.”
Deuteronomy 34:5-6 NLT
“Moses was 120 years old when he died, yet his eyesight was clear, and he was as strong as ever.”
Deuteronomy 34:7 NLT
“The people of Israel mourned for Moses on the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the customary period of mourning was over.”
Deuteronomy 34:8 NLT
“NOW JOSHUA son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. So the people of Israel obeyed him, doing just as the Lord had commanded Moses.”
Deuteronomy 34:9 NLT
The Bible says, NOW JOSHUA…
Moses was now gone. Joshua was NOW up to lead God’s people. Joshua knew that he was next up to lead, but that didn’t make the task any easier.
When the time came, so did the pain. When the time came, so did the uncertainty—BUT SO DID THE SPIRIT OF GOD!
As the book of Deuteronomy comes to a close. The book of Joshua now begins. Joshua 1:1 reads,
“After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2) “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, THE TIME HAS COME FOR YOU TO LEAD THESE PEOPLE, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.”
Joshua 1:1-2 NLT
“I PROMISE YOU WHAT I PROMISED MOSES: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— 4) from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’”
Joshua 1:3-4 NLT
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.”
Joshua 1:5 NLT
““Be strong and courageous, FOR YOU ARE THE ONE WHO WILL LEAD THESE PEOPLE to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.”
Joshua 1:6 NLT
What God was basically saying to Joshua in these opening verses was…
“MOSES MY SERVANT IS DEAD—BUT I’M NOT!” -God
Essentially what God was telling Joshua was our sermon title for today….
I GOT YOUR SIX!
In the military, “Got your six” means “I'VE GOT YOUR BACK.” The saying originated with World War I fighter pilots referencing a pilot's rear as the six o'clock position.
Essentially what God was telling Joshua was I GOT YOUR SIX. I GOT YOUR BACK!
KEY VERSE:
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I WILL BE WITH YOU as I was with Moses. I WILL NOT FAIL YOU OR ABANDON YOU.”
Joshua 1:5 NLT
In other words, “Joshua I got your 6!”
And this Father’s Day, that’s exactly what our families need to know about us. That’s exactly what our community and our church needs to know as well….I GOT YOUR SIX!
In order to have their six, in order to have their backs, there are somethings we need to get back to as men. Joshua was a man’s man! What was it about him?! Joshua was so tough that Joshua 5:13 says,
“When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. JOSHUA WENT UP TO HIM and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?””
Joshua 5:13 NLT
What was it about him? Where did such boldness and faith come from? I believe that Exodus 33:11 gives us a hint. It says…
“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Afterward Moses would return to the camp, but the young man who assisted him, JOSHUA son of Nun, WOULD REMAIN BEHIND IN THE TENT OF MEETING.”
Exodus 33:11 NLT
“One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’”
Exodus 33:12 NLT
“If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.””
Exodus 33:13 NLT
“And He said, “MY PRESENCE WILL GO WITH YOU, and I will give you rest.””
Exodus 33:14 NKJV
“Then he said to Him, “IF YOUR PRESENCE DOES NOT GO WITH US, DO NOT BRING US UP FROM HERE.”
Exodus 33:15 NKJV
Joshua stayed in God’s presence. Moses begged for God’s presence. All this leads me to believe that thought number one for today is essential…
📝 • Get back to God’s PRESENCE.
David, another man’s man, when he didn’t know which way to turn, David turned to God’s presence. 1 Samuel 30:6 says,
“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But DAVID FOUND STRENGTH IN THE LORD his God.”
1 Samuel 30:6 NLT
When it comes to God’s presence, David wrote in Psalms 16:11…
“YOU WILL SHOW ME THE PATH OF LIFE; IN YOUR PRESENCE IS FULLNESS OF JOY; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalms 16:11 NKJV
The Good News Translation puts Psalm 16:11 like this…
“You will show me the path that leads to life; YOUR PRESENCE FILLS ME WITH JOY and brings me pleasure forever.”
Psalm 16:11 GNT
God’s presence produces joy. Along with that, Nehemiah 8:10 says….
“Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, FOR THE JOY OF THE LORD IS YOUR STRENGTH.””
Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV
The Good News Translation puts Nehemiah 8:10 like this…
“Now go home and have a feast. Share your food and wine with those who don't have enough. Today is holy to our Lord, so don't be sad. THE JOY THAT THE LORD GIVES YOU WILL MAKE YOU STRONG.””
Nehemiah 8:10 GNT
It’s no wonder the enemy is trying everything that he can to distract your eyes, heart, and mind from the presence of the Lord.
📝 God’s PRESENCE produces JOY and, the joy of the Lord produces Strength.
🚫 PRESENCE = 🚫 JOY = 🚫 STRENGTH
Let’s look at 1 Samuel 30:6 again. It says
“David was now in great danger because all his men were very bitter about losing their sons and daughters, and they began to talk of stoning him. But DAVID FOUND STRENGTH IN THE LORD his God.”
1 Samuel 30:6 NLT
📝 In the presence of God, you’ll find the strength that you need, to LOVE, LEAD, and SERVE your family, your community, your workplace, and wherever else God may send you.
In the presence of God, you’ll find the strength that you need, to learn how to be present. Because after we get back to His presence, our second thought for today is this…
📝 • Get back to being PRESENT.
“So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and STAND IN THE GAP before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I FOUND NO ONE.”
Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV
Where were all the men? They were absent. They were checked out. Similar to what happened with Adam & Eve. Genesis 3:6 says,
“When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, WHO WAS WITH HER, and he ate it.”
Genesis 3:6 NIV
Adam was marked present, but He was absent at the same time. Let’s learn from him how not to be.
The enemy will convince you that’s it better to be marked present, to look like you’re checked in, because, “at least you’re there.” The results are in, and I’m telling you right now, THAT’S A LIE! Look at what happened to mankind because of that one moment.
I know have you battles that no one knows about. I know you’re overwhelmed beyond words, but…
📝 Instead of checking out, I encourage you to CHECK INTO God’s presence.
So what happened with Joshua and that story of him approaching the man whose sword was drawn out. Joshua 5:13 says,
“When Joshua was near the town of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with sword in hand. JOSHUA WENT UP TO HIM and demanded, “Are you friend or foe?””
Joshua 5:13 NLT
““Neither one,” he replied. “I am the commander of the Lord’s army.” At this, Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. “I am at your command,” Joshua said. “WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR SERVANT TO DO?””
Joshua 5:14 NLT
WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR SERVANT TO DO?
Who do you want me to kill? Who do you want me to strike? What do you want me to spy out? Just tell me what you want me to do, and it’s done. WHAT DO YOU WANT YOUR SERVANT TO DO? The commander of the Lord’s army looks at Joshua and says, what do I want you to do? I want you to do nothing. Joshua 5:15 says,
“The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did as he was told.”
Joshua 5:15 NLT
Joshua, I want you to do nothing—BUT WORSHIP. Joshua I know you have a battle coming up in chapter 6, chapter 7, chapter 8, chapter 10, with many more after that…
📝 BUT FIRST—WORSHIP.
The Lord is saying to you today, I know about your battles too. I know about your to do list. I know all about all that you have going on. I know about every battle that you’re facing, and that you’re going to face. We’ll get to them, when we get to them, BUT FIRST—WORSHIP.
I know what you’re facing, but you need to know you’re not facing it alone. I got your six!
It’s in His presence that He’ll show you the path of life. It’s in His presence that you’ll find His joy. As you find His joy, then you’ll find His strength. I’m talking about strength to go on. Strength to stand. Strength to be present. Strength to keep showing up!
“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I WILL BE WITH YOU AS I WAS WITH MOSES. I will not fail you or abandon you.”
Joshua 1:5 NLT
It’s in His presence that He’ll remind you that’s He’s the same God! He told Joshua, AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO SHALL I BE WITH YOU! WHY? Because I’m the same God! And I say to you today people of God, The same God who gave Joshua the wisdom. The same God who gave Joshua the courage. The same God who gave Joshua the strength. The same God who had Joshua’s back, is the same God who has yours!
At times…
📝 It may look like my back is against the wall, but truth be told, I’M BACKED UP AGAINST GOD!
I’m backed up against The Way Maker! I’m backed up against the miracle worker! I’m backed up against the one who makes a way, when there appears to be no way!
When it appears that your back is against the wall, know that the wall is God having your back!
📝 You won’t go out in a rush, nor will you run away, because THE ONE GOING BEFORE YOU IS THE LORD; your REAR GUARD is the God of Israel.
Isaiah 52:12
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOD HAS YOUR SIX?
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT HE’S THE SAME GOD?
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO I WILL BE WITH YOU; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:5 NIV
I’m the same God.
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