Joshua 1:9
Joshua had just received the mandate of the leadership of a nation of millions of people. He was very fearful and timid. Locked inside him was a leader who would one day see the wall of Jericho crumbling down before the army of Israel. Joshua had inside of him a great warrior who would deliver the promised land to the tribes of Israel.
On the contrary, Joshua was gripped by fear and anxiety when he was newly appointed by God as Israel’s leader. He felt he didn’t have what it took to lead the Israelites. Feelings of inadequacy and incompetency held Joshua bound from stepping out to fulfill his destiny. Many of us are like Joshua, we have great dreams and aspirations but we are full of anxiety about the future and this keeps us from stepping into all that God has for us. Like Joshua, God says to us to be strong and of good courage. Strength and courage are important elements that we need to make an impact in this world.
No matter how many your potentials are, they will be useless without strength and courage. An atmosphere of doubt kills potentials and gifts faster than anything else. God created you with everything you need to succeed in life; doubting your abilities and potentials will never allow for their expression.
Through strength and courage in the leadership of Joshua, he was able to conquer many nations that occupied the land God had already promised Israel. If Joshua were to remain timid and doubting, he might not have won a single battle in Israel’s conquest for their territory. We need strength and courage to win as we also reach out for all God has for us in life.
Joshua 1:9 contains two important qualities we must adopt for our success in life- strength and courage. Are you scared that you will not succeed in your God-given goals, aspirations and dreams? God says to you today, “Be strong and courageous!”
The Basis Of Our Strength And Courage
Why did God ask Joshua to be strong and courageous? The simple answer is God’s presence. God already promised Joshua his presence just like he was with Moses. God promised never to leave Joshua or forsake him. It was on that basis that God asked Joshua to be strong and courageous.
Trying to be courageous without God’s presence is a mere feeling, not a reality. The basis of our courage is that God has also promised us his presence just like he did to Joshua (Matthew 28:20). God does not lie, so if he has said he will be with us, he is always with us. If you are not assured of any other thing, be assured of God’s glorious presence with you no matter what you go through.
God does not just send men to fulfill a mandate, he goes with them. He is not only the God of the destination; he is the God of the journey too! This is why we should be bold, confident and daring as we seek to make a difference on earth. When you have God’s presence, you have all you need already. All you will ever need is in him.
The consciousness of God’s presence helps us stay strong and courageous in our journey. When we carry the consciousness of God’s presence around us, it helps us forge through life’s circumstances knowing that we are already victorious.
Strength
Strength is an important quality that helps us forge ahead in times of trials and weaknesses. Our emotions are unstable, sometimes we are motivated or discouraged. This is why we need God’s strength as we journey through life. Those who lack strength will be weak in the days of adversity (Proverbs 24:10).
Strength is a function of our relationship with God. Only those who know God can be truly strong (Daniel 11:32). How can we know God if we don’t relate to him? How do we know God if we don’t communicate with him through prayer? How do you know a God that you don’t hear from by his word? Our time of fellowship with God through prayers and his word empowers us for our journey ahead.
Another source of strength is the joy that comes from God’s presence. The joy of the Lord is strength for us (Nehemiah 8:10) When we are downcast, sad or depressed, our joy leaks away. A sorrowful heart cannot carry you through your life’s assignment (Proverbs 15:13). Whatever you go through, rejoice in God, knowing that all things will work for your good. Joy is an important component of strength. Rejoice always.
Courage
Courage helps us to be daring, daunting and bold. Faith is always courageous; doubt is always timid and cowardly. Without courage, all the great exploits that were achieved in the Bible would not have been achieved. Without courage, Moses would not be able to face Pharoah. Without courage, Israel would have remained in bondage in Egypt. It was by great faith and courage that David killed Goliath when all the Israelites took cover in fear.
Without the courage of God’s children, evil works will grow stronger and thicker. Behind every great miracle of the Bible were the Almighty God and a courageous man. Courage is a sign of great faith and belief in God. Courage helps us to step out in faith and provides a platform for God to do great things. No matter how much God wants to do, he can’t do so much with cowardly men.
Faith without works is dead. When God speaks to us, we must not be passive waiting for God to bring his word to pass. When you step out in faith, God will always meet you on the way. Waiting for all circumstances to be perfect before taking action is not courageous. This does not mean you should avoid proper planning and preparation. However, we must not wait for perfect conditions to begin to do what we need to do because we may never get the perfect conditions.
Take a step of faith today. Step out into all that God has for you. God is with you and you are victorious already.
King James Version (KJV)
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
New International Version (NIV)
“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.”
New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
“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.”
New American Bible (NASB)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
“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.”
The Living Bible (TLB)
“Yes, be bold and strong! Banish fear and doubt! For remember, the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”