BE STRONG TO THE END

Be Strong Until the End
Text: Joshua 23–24
There is something admirable about a strong start, but there is something even more remarkable about a strong finish.
As we conclude our "Be Strong" series from the book of Joshua, we have spent the last several weeks discovering what it means to be strong in God's presence, strong in God's direction, strong in our obedience, and strong in our integrity. Each message has reminded us that God commanded Joshua to "be strong and of a good courage."

But God's desire was never for Joshua to simply begin well. He wanted him to finish well.
Joshua opens his ministry hearing God's voice say, "Be strong and of a good courage" (Joshua 1:6). Decades later, as he nears the end of his life, Joshua echoes those same words to the nation of Israel:
"Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses..." (Joshua 23:6).
The message has come full circle. God strengthened Joshua, and Joshua spent the rest of his life strengthening others. That is the mark of a life well lived.
Strength isn't just for the battles of today—it's for the finish line.

I. Strong People Remember God's Faithfulness
Joshua 23:3
The book of Joshua is filled with unforgettable moments. We read about Rahab's faith, the crossing of the Jordan River, the memorial stones, the walls of Jericho falling, and countless victories that only God could provide.
As Joshua prepares to leave this world, he intentionally directs Israel's attention backward before looking forward.
If we constantly stare at today's problems, we'll eventually collapse under their weight. Tomorrow often feels too heavy to carry. But when we stop and remember what God has already done, yesterday's victories become today's source of strength.
Our culture often encourages us to erase the past—to forget our history, our heritage, even our testimony. Yet God repeatedly tells His people to remember.
Think back.
Walk down memory lane.
Remember the prayers God answered, the doors He opened, the battles He fought, and the times He carried you when you couldn't carry yourself.
Looking back at God's faithfulness gives us confidence to face today's challenges.

II. Strong People Remain Faithful
Joshua 23:8
Joshua tells Israel,
"But cleave unto the LORD your God..."
The word "cleave" is the Hebrew word dabaq, meaning to stick to, cling to, hold fast, remain joined, pursue closely, and be firmly attached.
Interestingly, this is the very same word used in Genesis 2:24, where the Bible says that a husband shall "leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife."
Joshua wasn't simply telling Israel to believe in God or attend religious services. He was calling them into a relationship of complete devotion.
Just as a husband and wife are joined together in covenant, God's people were to remain inseparably attached to Him.
This is far more than casual religion.
It is a relationship so close that separation becomes unthinkable.
Sadly, after years in ministry, I've watched many people casually walk away from the Lord. I'm not talking about someone moving to another Bible-believing church—that's simply part of life. I'm talking about those who gradually loosen their grip on God until eventually they let go altogether.
Strong people don't merely know about God.
They hold tightly to Him.

III. Strong People Make a Personal Decision
Joshua 24:15
Joshua boldly declared,
"Choose you this day whom ye will serve..."
Throughout the book of Joshua, people were continually faced with choices.
Joshua chose to follow God.
The spies chose to trust Him.
Rahab chose to believe.
Israel chose to march around Jericho.
Again and again, victory followed decisions of faith.
Now, twenty-five to thirty years later, Joshua reminds the next generation that they must choose for themselves.
The same remains true today.
No one accidentally serves God.
People choose to attend church.
They choose to trust Christ.
They choose to surrender to His will.
They choose to raise their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
They choose to stay faithful when life becomes difficult.
Unfortunately, people also choose to neglect church, reject Christ, refuse to serve, abandon their spiritual responsibilities, and quit the fight of faith.
Every decision has consequences.
Each person must choose.
As Joshua declared,
"But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."

IV. Strong People Finish Well
Joshua 24:29–31
Joshua's life concludes with several beautiful observations that teach us what it means to finish strong.

His Family Was Remembered
Joshua is once again identified as "the son of Nun."
His family name remained connected to his legacy.
We all belong to someone.
We should desire to honor those who came before us and leave a testimony that blesses those who come behind us.
Parents ought to desire to leave their children a heritage of faith.
A good name is far more valuable than great riches.

He Was Called "The Servant of the LORD"
Joshua's greatest title wasn't military leader or national hero.
He was called "the servant of the LORD."
That is the very same title given to Moses in Joshua 1:1.
What greater description could be written over a person's life than simply:
"He was God's servant."
May that be said of us.

He Was Buried Within the Border of His Inheritance
Joshua was buried in the very land God had given him.
After spending his life leading God's people, fighting for the Promised Land, and faithfully serving where God had placed him, he was laid to rest within the borders of his inheritance.
There's a beautiful picture here.
Joshua finished where God had called him.
Moses faithfully served the Lord, yet because of his disobedience he did not enter the Promised Land or finish within his inheritance. Joshua, however, finished well.
He finished right.
He finished strong.
May every father desire to be in godly standing with his family when life is over.
May every mother desire the same.
A life well lived leaves behind a legacy worth following.

His Influence Continued After His Death
The Bible tells us that the elders who outlived Joshua continued serving the Lord.
That may be one of the greatest statements about Joshua's life.
His influence survived him.
If you want to outlive yourself, invest in others.
Some believers are content simply to grow personally. They read the Bible for themselves, pray for themselves, and pursue holiness for themselves.
While personal devotion is essential, God never intended our faith to stop with us.
Strong people strengthen others.
Joshua certainly did.

Final Thoughts
The book began with God telling Joshua,
"Be strong and of a good courage... for the LORD thy God is with thee."
The book ends with Joshua encouraging an entire nation to remain strong after he is gone.
That is a powerful legacy.
Strength is not just for battles.
Strength is not just for difficult seasons.
Strength is for a lifetime.
We need God's strength to walk in His presence.
We need God's strength to follow His direction.
We need God's strength to obey Him.
We need God's strength to live with integrity.
And when those qualities are faithfully practiced day after day, year after year, they produce something every believer should desire:
A life that finishes well.
May we all determine, by God's grace, to be strong until the end.