the God who Is Always with Us

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​First Presbyterian Church of Blackwood                          
21 E. Church Street
Blackwood, NJ 08012                                                                              
Sermon Notes Sunday Service July 12 2026
Sermon Title–The God Who Is Always with Us
Text – Joshua 3:7-13
Rev. Key Min Lee

​People often allow their hearts to change when their circumstances and situations change. Therefore, it is important for us to have an unshakable heart regardless of our circumstances and environments.
 
However, Satan continually stirs up our desires so that we become attached to our circumstances and situations.  Through our words, he desires to create death and darkness.  That is why it is so important for us to practice looking toward the unchanging God instead of focusing on our circumstances and situations. 
 
James 1:17 says:  “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadow.”  This means that God never changes.  He has loved us the same way yesterday, today, and forever.  This is important because when we look only to the unchanging God, our hearts will not be shaken, and we will be transformed into Christians who can overcome what the world cannot overcome.
 
Therefore, we must look only to God.  If our hearts are currently being influenced and changed by our circumstances and situations, we must remember that we are moving in the direction that darkness desires.
 
Today’s passage shows the moment when Joshua, the new leader of Israel, was leading the people to cross the Jordan River.  We need to understand that when the leadership changed from Moses to Joshua, there could have been division among the people.  However, when we look at the actions of Joshua and the actions of Israel, we can see what was truly greater in their hearts.
 
Joshua 1:17-18 says:  “Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you.  Only may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses.  Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey whatever you command him will be put to death.  Only be strong and courageous.”
 
The reason Israel was able to make this confession was because, in their hearts, the unseen God was greater than visible circumstances and situations.
 
When we look at those who truly serve God with all their hearts, we see complete obedience and sacrifice.  I believe this is the kind of image that today’s church needs.  Only through complete obedience and sacrifice can true unity be established.
 
God also spoke to Joshua:  “Look only to Me, and be courageous.” (Joshua 1:1-9).  These words were spoken to Moses as well (Exodus 3:11-12), and they are also words that God speaks to us today.
 
Therefore, regardless of our circumstances, we must look only to the Lord and offer Him thanksgiving and worship.  Through this, God receives glory through our lives, and the lives of those we encounter can be restored.  That is why we must first become united with God, and then become united with the people God has placed in our lives—just as Joshua and Israel were united.
 
We must remember this:  the reason we must look only to God is because everything visible is only a temporary phenomenon that appears and disappears.  (2 Corinthians 4:18).  Satan tries to make us hold onto visible things through our desires because he wants to separate us from God’s will.  A representative example of this is the battle of Aphek (Ebenezer) recorded in 1 Samuel 4.
 
After Israel was defeated in their battle against the Philistines, they brought the Ark of God from Shiloh to the battlefield.  Why did they do this?  The reason was that they used the Ark as if it were a charm that would bring them victory.  They believed that if the Ark was with them, God would be with them and they would win the battle.  However, the result was devastating.  Thirty-four thousand soldiers died, and the Ark of God, which represented His presence, was captured by the Philistines.
 
Beloved brothers and sisters, we must understand that the Ark itself was a visible sign.  Even when the Ark was placed in the center when Israel conquered Jericho, the Ark was never the source of victory.  It was only a visible sign that pointed Israel toward serving the invisible God.
 
As 2 Chronicles 20:15 says:  “The battle is not yours, but God’s.”  In other words, when we look to the invisible God and walk with Him, then true restoration and unity can finally take place.
 
Beloved brothers and sisters, if we continue chasing after what is visible, we will no longer be able to sincerely serve the invisible God.  As a result, true restoration and unity cannot take place.
 
I believe this is one of the areas where today’s church is lacking.  We are often good at following visible circumstances and outward appearances, but perhaps we have become less devoted to loving the invisible God and walking faithfully with Him.  I believe what we need today is a faith that thinks only of God, refuses to be controlled by circumstances and situations, and continues moving forward.
 
Remember this:  God is with us.  When we keep our eyes fixed on Him, our circumstances and situations no longer become our focus.  We begin to pursue unity.  We seek to understand others and willingly sacrifice ourselves for their sake.  Whatever we do, we desire to do it together.  We do not force or pressure others.
 
Our responsibility is simply to live in such a way that those who encounter us can freely choose God for themselves.
 
May the Lord bless each one of you to keep your eyes fixed on Him and walk with Him every day.  God is Always with You.