A prominent city council president was given a prestigious “Lifetime Community Honor” award at a grand dinner. After receiving a glowing ten-minute introduction praising his incredible achievements, he stepped up to the microphone, smiled, and said, “Thank you! You know, when I first started out in public service, I asked God to give me two things: wisdom to make great decisions, and humility so I would never get a big head.” At that moment, one of the council members murmured and still everyone heard him: “Well, looks like God never heard his prayers.”
To begin, let me ask you a question to ponder for a moment: When you reflect on your life, what would you consider to be your most worthy and admirable achievement?
Well, when we hear a word like honour, we often think of public recognition, major career milestones, high social standing, or the awards and titles we accumulate over a lifetime. We live in a world that measures worth by what we accomplish, build, or prove. However, true honour in God’s kingdom means something completely different and much deeper. We’ll get to that shortly.
In the story told in the book of Joshua today, when Joshua stepped into leadership after Moses died, he faced an overwhelming challenge. Moses was a national hero. He was the one that had confronted Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, and delivered God’s Law.
In comparison, Joshua was still finding his footing. The people did not yet view him with the same reverence. But Joshua eventually led his people into Canaan—the promised land flowing with milk and honey. Over the years that followed, he won countless battles and remained one of ancient Israel’s greatest leaders. Yet to achieve all of this, he first had to fight an enemy inside: a lifelong battle to conquer his own fear and self-doubt.
God knew the struggles Joshua faced, yet He still chose him to lead His people. Even so, God had to continually encourage him, “Joshua, do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged. I will always be with you.”
Like Joshua, we encounter endless challenges, difficulties, and setbacks from every direction in our lives… from physical health struggles and emotional burnout to financial strain, relationship conflicts, and the unexpected loss of loved ones or career opportunities.
We spend our whole lives trying to manage these obstacles. Yet the true battle—the real enemy we must defeat—is always found within. Aad almost always, the enemy within takes the form of fear, worry, self-doubt, or a lack of confidence in everyday life.
Knowing all this, God offered Joshua a divine promise in verse 7. He said: “I will make all the people of Israel begin to honor you as a great man, and they will realize that I am with you as I was with Moses.”
Yet even with such a profound promise, Joshua still had to learn how to conquer the fear and self-doubt inside him. Well, he isn’t alone. For most of us as well, real battle isn’t with what lies outside; it is with what lies inside.
Simply put, fear and faith cannot coexist. Worry and faith can never walk hand in hand. Whenever we allow fear or worry to fill our hearts, we quietly or unconsciously choose fear over faith.
Friends, if you truly desire a life guided by God’s presence and sustained by His promises, you must first confront and conquer the enemy within—a lifelong journey of surrendering fear to faith. Spiritually, it is virtually a matter of life and death.
Fear and worry are insidious things—almost like living creatures. The more you feed them and focus on them, the larger they grow, until it is only a matter of time before they consume your heart and mind completely. Before Joshua could ever defeat the enemies outside, he first had to learn to conquer the enemy inside.
He had to learn to replace his fear and self-doubt with God’s promise to always be with him. I believe this is one of the most noble victories we should achieve as God’s children on earth. We must continually replace our unnecessary worries, fears, and doubts with the firm assurance that He will never leave us nor forsake us. I believe this is one of the most powerful disciplines we must cultivate to live as God’s true children on earth.
We live in a culture that measures honor by prestige, influence, and worldly success. It constantly tells us, “Stand out, climb higher, achieve more.” But biblical honor turns this mindset completely upside down.
In the eyes of God, however, the highest distinction we can ever attain isn’t a title we earn or a position we demand—it is the evident, living presence of God with us.
Notice what God did not do. He did not tell Joshua to build up an impressive resume, project an aura of dominance, or force people into submission. Instead, God made it clear that people would honour him greatly simply because they would see that God was with Joshua all the time.
Think about your own life for a moment. When was the last time those around you realized there was something remarkably different about you? Not because you had a higher position or greater skills, but because they could sense the quiet, steady presence of God in you and in your life?
That’s exactly what happened to Joshua and his people. When God stepped into the Jordan River alongside Joshua and held back the waters, the people saw with their own eyes that God was genuinely with him. Yes. It was God’s presence, not Joshua’s self-promotion, that earned their trust and respect.
When God’s presence marks our lives, it fundamentally transforms how we navigate our daily lives.
First, in our homes, we lead with humility, patience, and unconditional love rather than authority, pressure, or obligation. Our families feel secure—not because we are perfect, but because they experience God’s grace in the way we listen, forgive, and care.
Second, in our work, our focus shifts away from human approval, competition, and status. We act with deep integrity, respect those around us, and stay calm under pressure because we trust in God’s provision. Over time, others notice it and want to find out more about it.
Finally, in a world full of division and anxiety, a life lived in God’s presence becomes a sacred place. Whether among strangers, neighbours, or colleagues, we become living bridges that point them back to God.
Again, God’s presence with you is the highest honour and the greatest achievement you can ever experience in your life. People will see God working through you. That is your mission in this world. That is your life given through Christ. Amen.
