Chapel with Dr. Thomas White

Dr. White led today’s chapel and encouraged everyone to look up to the Lord. He went through Joshua 5:13–6:2, painting a picture of what the Lord was revealing in each verse. 

In this passage, we see a nation who is rebellious against God. They are the children of Israel, yet they live their lives wandering around the wilderness. To break this cycle of endless wandering, they had to repent, obey, and get right with God.  

Joshua isn’t like the rest of the children of Israel. He is circumcised, obedient to the Lord, and found going on a walk in this passage. He comes across Jericho, a city with fortified walls that the Lord has promised to give to Israel. No one can go in or out. Joshua is staring at an impossible situation in which everyone is looking at him, the leader, to figure out a solution.  

Have you ever faced a situation where it feels impossible to find a way out? Maybe you feel drowned in the weight of getting assignments done with midterms right around the corner. Maybe you can feel anxiety rushing through you as you search for a job or internship. No matter how stressful your situation is, Joshua felt the same way.  

While searching for what to do, Joshua looks up. He sees a man standing before him with a sword drawn. Does he run away in fear? Does he draw a weapon to defend himself? No, he walks straight towards him and asks, “Are you for us or for our adversaries?” The man answers and says “No; but I am the commander of the army of the Lord. Now I have come.” (Joshua 5:14 ESV) Joshua showed strong and courageous faith by approaching him and later bowing down in worship. We see this cross-referenced in Exodus 23:20.  

Joshua is commanded by the commander of the Lord’s armies to take off his shoes because he is standing on holy ground. This is also cross-referenced from Exodus 3, where Moses sees the burning bush. We know that the God of Israel is the same God who was with Moses and kept His promises to him.  

The commander of the Lord’s armies came with a sword, demonstrating that the Lord will pass judgement. Our God is a righteous judge, and judgement is coming, even today. Yet with judgement, He also extends redemption. He redeemed Rahab, a harlot, and gave her a new home amongst the children of Israel. No matter what you’ve done, He can redeem you too. Like the children of Israel, all you have to do is repent, obey, and get right with God.  

When Joshua saw the commander of the Lord, what did he see? When he saw the massive fortress of Jericho, what did he see?  

He saw that the battle belongs to the Lord!  

Concluding thoughts:  

1. God came to take charge, not take sides.  
2. Joshua went to look at his problem. Instead, Joshua found his solution.  
3. Are we standing in our own way?  
4. The battle belongs to the Lord. Psalm 20:7, 1 Sam. 17:47; Deut. 20:4; 2 Chron. 20:15 

Dr. White led the chapel through Joshua 3–4, focusing on the importance of remembering the Lord’s goodness. It can be easy to get so caught up in the details of life that you forget the Lord’s faithfulness. It may seem okay, but what will you do when a dark night hits? What do you do when you start spiraling mentally or go through a hard situation? Joshua 3–4 tells us to remember the goodness of the Lord always.  

Twelve men from the tribe of Israel carried twelve stones to remember what the Lord had done. He parted the Jordan River just as He did the Red Sea. All of the glory and credit for these miracles belongs to the Lord. The stones reminded the children of Israel of the Lord’s faithfulness. When times got hard, they could look back and remember what the Lord had done.  

The passage also focused on a strong leap of faith. The children of Israel took a courageous leap of faith by trusting in the Lord and crossing the Jordan. They walked right through what they had once deemed impossible to cross.  

Dr. White related this to our own lives by asking, “You're not going to get across it on your own; but if God has told you to cross that river, are you going to step in the water? Are you going to trust Him even though it seems impossible? Are you going to obey Him?”  

Sometimes it’s easier to run back to what is familiar than to take a leap of faith. The Lord has delivered you from that and is asking you to trust Him. Will you choose to have strong and courageous faith?  

Main Idea: Remember and proclaim that the LORD is almighty. 

Outline:  

1. The Miracle (3:1-17)  
2. The Memorial (4:1-24) 

Application:  

1. God is faithful. We can Trust Him.  
2. Forgetfulness erodes faith.  
3. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. 
4. The Lord leads the way. 

Unveiling God’s Grace Through Rahab: Lessons From Joshua 2

In Joshua 2, we encounter Rahab, a woman whose story offers us profound lessons about faith, grace, and God’s transformative work in our lives. Her narrative is not just a historical account but a vivid illustration of how God uses unexpected places and people.

God’s Preparations: A Work Already in Progress

From the start of Joshua 2, it’s clear that God was already at work. The spies sent by Joshua to scout Jericho found unexpected help in the home of Rahab, a prostitute. This encounter was no mere coincidence; it was part of God's good plan. Rahab’s actions reflect how God had prepared her heart in advance to aid the spies. She was acutely aware of the mighty works of God, including the parting of the Red Sea and the destruction of the Amorites (Joshua 2:10–11). Her confession that “the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below” (Joshua 2:11) was not just an acknowledgment but a profound declaration of faith.

A Bold Act of Faith

Rahab's courage is striking. Despite the risk of severe punishment for harboring the spies, she took a stand. Her faith was not passive but active. She provided protection for the spies and facilitated their escape (Joshua 2:4–7). Rahab’s actions show us what it means to live out strong and courageous faith in the face of extreme challenges.

The Scarlet Cord: A Symbol of Redemption

One of the most vivid symbols in this chapter is the scarlet cord Rahab used to mark her house. This cord signified not only her faith but also her deliverance from the coming destruction of Jericho (Joshua 2:18–21). It’s a powerful metaphor for redemption and grace. Just as the Israelites' Passover lamb marked their homes for safety (Exodus 12:13), the scarlet cord represented Rahab’s trust in God’s provision.

Grace and Redemption: Rahab’s Legacy

Rahab’s story is a testament to God’s unbounded grace. Despite her background, Rahab was not only spared but also became part of the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matthew 1:5). Her inclusion in Hebrews 11:31 and James 2:25 highlights her faith as exemplary. God’s grace extends beyond boundaries, offering redemption and a new identity regardless of one’s past. Rahab’s story encourages us to see beyond our current circumstances and recognize the grace that God extends to all. It reassures us that no matter where we come from or what we have done, God’s redemptive plan is powerful enough to transform and use anyone for His purpose. As we reflect on Rahab’s strong and courageous faith, let’s strive to live with the same trust and boldness, knowing that God is always at work in our lives.

Respond to God’s call and presence with strong and courageous faith! Joshua 1:1-18 focuses on the big-picture theme of being strong and courageous.

Everyone is dealing with some sort of transition. Whether it's within your household, educational setting, or workplace, you are most likely experiencing some sort of change. Maybe you thought life would look different than it does right now. Transitions can be hard and can lead to stress and anxiety.

According to research on Gen Z from Barna Group:

• 51% feel anxious about important decisions.
• 43% have mental health concerns.
• 24% feel like they don’t belong.
• 54% experience emotional stress.

Whatever anxiety you are dealing with, you are not alone. There are a lot of people feeling the same way, and Joshua dealt with it too. He was so fearful that not only was God telling him to be courageous, but the people were too.

Joshua followed Moses and had big shoes to fill. He was expected to be the next Moses — the man who sent the plagues and parted the Red Sea. Joshua didn’t let his fear hinder his calling from the Lord. He responded to God’s call on His life and to God’s commissioning of him with obedience. Will you choose to respond to God’s call with obedience and strong and courageous faith?

You can trust in the fact that there is a real God who is faithful in your life. He will keep His promises. Now is the time to turn that trial into a triumph. When God calls you to go, you’d better go!

Below are the outline and application points of Dr. White's sermon. You can use this to guide your notes as you watch and reflect on the main take-away from the message.

Outline:

1. God Commissions Joshua (1:1–9)

2. Joshua Commands the People (1:10–15)

3. The People Commit to Joshua (1:16–18)

How to be strong and courageous:

• Spend daily time in the Word.
• Be doers of the Word.
• Recognize your dependence on the Lord.

Application Questions:

• Are you going through transition or uncertainty?
• Is the Lord with you?
• How will you respond?

"And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20b

Today’s chapel was led by Cedarville University's President Dr. Thomas White. Dr. White encouraged the students for the new year by honoring them, the new Scharnberg Business and Communications center, and the new dormitories (Diel Johnson Hall and Murdock Hall.) Key announcements included a new dining option, The Cafe, a new Stinger statue, the 1,000 days campaign updates, upcoming dining hall renovations, and more. Dr. White also announced new community events such as Sidewalk Saturdays and the Living in Babylon conference, before starting the sermon.

Dr. White announced his new chapel series "“Every Single Word," a look through the book of Joshua for the 2024-2025 school year. The main message from this sermon was to be strong and courageous. "The only way that we can be strong and courageous is when we see that the Lord is with us.” Dr. White encouraged the students to stop listening to the devil and believe that God’s word is true. God is Lord and worthy of our trust!