Friday, July 7, 2023
Be Strong and Courageous - by Kay Crumley
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success[a] wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5- 9
As the author begins the book of Joshua, God is telling Joshua that he is taking over the leadership of God’s chosen people as Moses has died. God promised that everywhere they step foot though this new land, it will be theirs as part of the land God promised to His people through Moses. It is now Joshua who must follow the instructions from God as they enter the Promised Land. He assured Joshua that no man will be able to stand against His people because He will not leave them as they take possession of the land He is giving them.
Within the five verses above, we see that God has told Joshua three times to be strong and courageous, vs 6, 7, & 9. ‘Be strong’ is not physical strength that God is encouraging. Joshua must be bold, unwavering, in following God’s guidance. The Israelites have proven they are not good followers. They had refused to listen to Moses thus forcing God to bring judgement against them causing them to suffer the consequences of their disobedience. Joshua needed this encouragement as he would not be able to persevere against all he would face in his own human strength. ‘Be courageous ‘, or of good courage. Courage in God is not self-confidence, he needed to have a genuine God-confidence. God would ensure that he inherit the land He promised. Joshua’s responsibility was to stay focused on the Law given by God to Moses, to speak the truth of God’s law, and to do everything according to His law. Joshua was assured success if he was obedient and steadfast in following God’s direction, His Word. In verse 9, God is commanding that Joshua be strong and courageous. He will be successful because God is with him. Living a life faithful to God does not promise a life free of problems, but it does ensure a life able to deal with anything because of God’s presence and promises.
God’s promises are true based on His sovereignty. To secure those promises it is our responsibility to obey Him. He calls us to remain in His Word, to be steadfast in our obedience to His teachings, and to grow more like Him. Placing our trust in Him is the first step in becoming a believer. Facing trials with reliance on God’s promises causes our faith to grow so that our attitude and behavior becomes more Christlike. The ultimate destiny God has planned for His followers is for us to be with Him eternally in Heaven.
"We are called to pursue God’s promises, reaching out to touch heaven through acts of faith while our feet still walk on the broken ground.” Tony Evans
