STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:6-9 (NLT)
There are some passages in the Bible that you may find difficult to parse through. Some of the prophetic visions in the Old Testament come to mind— certainly, portions of Revelation. But the passage above from Joshua is definitely not murky or unclear. God calls us to be strong and courageous. And while these words were spoken to a specific person at a specific point in history about a specific situation, there’s certainly application for us today.
Joshua is told by God that He will honor His promise made to His people. God still keeps His word today so we can be strong and courageous. Joshua is told to be careful to obey the Word he had been given. We, too, can build our lives on God’s Word, allowing us to be strong and courageous. God promises to be with Joshua and His people wherever they go. Jesus promised the same thing to us (see Matthew 28:20). His presence certainly allows us to be strong and courageous.
Even reading all of that, you might not feel very strong or courageous. But here’s the good news—this isn’t something we do in our own power. We rely on the strength and power of the One we serve. There’s nothing impressive about us. It’s all about Him. He reigns supreme over all creation. Paul says it like this in Romans 8:31 (NLT): What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
God is for you, not against you. He wants to work powerfully in and through your life. Consider these comforting words from Paul in Philippians 1:6 (NLT): And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
APPLICATION: Ask God to make you strong and courageous in His power. Pray over whatever situation you’re struggling with right now. Turn it over to Him.
PRAYER: God, I am wholly dependent on You. Help me to draw upon Your strength rather than trusting in myself. Give me a greater awareness of Your Holy Spirit’s guiding every day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?