SCRIPTURE:
“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.”
Joshua 1:9
OBSERVATION:
Joshua was called to succeed Moses as the leader of the Israelites. Joshua was one of the few spies (the other being Caleb), who were faith filled in believing they could take possession of Canaan. His appointment made sense, yet here in Joshua 1 we see the Lord repeatedly telling him to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid or discouraged. At the end of Joshua 1, the people tell him the same – be strong and courageous.
APPLICATION:
God commands us to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid. Why? Because He is with us wherever we go. This is especially true when it comes to an assignment that He is giving us specifically.
In various leadership positions the Lord has called me to, there has always been a part of me that has been a bit apprehensive. I think to some degree, we all feel these kinds of things from time to time, but when we can move from relying on our own strength and leaning on His, it makes things so much easier.
God wasn’t telling Joshua to be strong and courageous and not to fear based on his own strength, but rather to understand that he need not fear because God himself was with him. That God himself would strengthen him. As it reads in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10:
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Whether it’s to lead a group of people, conquering a new land or stepping out in faith into a new assignment that the Lord has given us, He is not calling us to shrink back in fear, but rather to be strong and courageous. I need to remember that no matter what, God is with me wherever I go and true strength and courage comes from Him.
PRAYER:
Father Almighty. Forgive me Lord when I have tried to do it all on my own courage and strength. Thank You Lord that You are with us, that You strengthen us and that You help us. May I remember that in You, I can do all things, this I pray, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
