Fear Not . . . Be Strong and Courageous

Read Joshua 1 (NIV)

Joshua Follows Moses

Joshua had served Moses faithfully but Moses could not enter the promised land due to his disobedience when asked to speak to the rock, Moses struck the rock out of anger

 and frustration with the people and dare I say God. Now Moses is dead and Joshua is given the responsibility of leading the people of God to the promised land, the land that God promised to the Israelites when he and Caleb went on their vision trip earlier.

You can imagine the intimidation a younger Joshua was feeling now that he was being asked to fill the big shoes Moses left. His responsibility was to lead. His calling was to lead. 

His purpose was to lead. God was promising him success but he had to trust God more than he trusted what he saw or what people said (v. 3-5). The promise was three-fold:

1. All the land they could step on would be theirs
2. They would have guaranteed victory over their enemies
3. Joshua would receive the same ministry of presence God gave Moses

God wanted to make sure Joshua knew that he was with him but he also wanted to make sure Joshua demonstrated the character development needed to handle this new role. So he tells him four different times in various ways to be strong and courageous.

Be Strong and Courgeous

• v. 6 – Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

 

• v. 7 –  “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go

 

• v. 9 – Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

 

• v. 18 – Only be strong and courageous!” (This was from the people)

The reason God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and to be strong and very courageous is because God knew Joshua would feel weak and fearful with the daunting task of being Moses’ successor and leading these people who have wondered for forty years into the promised land.

I don’t know what God has called you to as we close out 2017 and prepare to enter 2018 but the word from thousands of years ago applies today, “Be strong and Courageous”. Follow Jesus and trust him to take you to the other side. He created you in Christ Jesus to do good works he prepared in advance for you to do so walk into the works that already prepared for you (Ephesians 2:10). He is a good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Over the next few weeks I will share a number of blogs that will prepare you for 2018. This is going to be an amazing year if you will trust God more than you trust others and yourself and if you will believe the truth of scripture that says, “All things work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28).

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