“Be Strong And Courageous”

I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. - Joshua 1:9

Poor Joshua. He has to follow up Moses. Can you imagine? Maybe you can. There are some people that are a tough act to follow, and Joshua had to lead Israel after Moses died.

No pressure.

So, perhaps sensing that Joshua was a little stressed at the idea, God says something to Joshua three times in verses 6-9 of Joshua’s first chapter: “Be strong and courageous.” God says it three times, so you know it’s important.

Joshua needed to remember that as great as Moses was (and he was), there is One who is greater than Moses that was with Joshua wherever he went. As tough an act as Moses was to follow, God wanted Joshua to know that he had nothing to be afraid of or to worry about. If Joshua just remains strong and courageous, remembering that God is with him, he’ll be just fine.

That’s a great little reminder for us all.

No matter what the task may be that is set before you, no matter who or what has come prior to you, your ability to do great things is always present. God has all the faith in the world in you and is right there with you wherever you go, just like with Joshua. Just listen to God’s words to Joshua, be strong and filled with courage, and know that God is with you.

Just like Joshua, you’ll be just fine.

PRAYER

Loving God, thank you for being with us in all of life’s moments. Grant that we might be strong and courageous, like Joshua, and have the same faith in ourselves that you have in us.

Amen.

Peace,

Shawn