Joshua 1:6-9 says “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.“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. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 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.”(NIV)
Ever notice how many times God said be strong and courageous in this passage? It opens our eyes to see fear affects people from all walks of life. Even leaders have to overcome adversary from within. God is all knowing and would never leave us out in limbo to figure things out alone. Matter a fact since we are his children we have a promise that he will go with us and never leave us nor forsake us (Ref: Deuteronomy 31:6). He knows our thought and why we think the way we do. Whether its due to our past mistakes or our current situations God already knows what’s going on. This passage is great because it shows how much God wants us to win. We see God cheering Joshua on and speaking life into him encouraging him to move.
God is constantly planting in Joshua’s spirit “be strong and courageous”. God was telling Joshua, “You can do this, don’t forget I am with you. Don’t lose faith. Trust me!” Thats what God is telling all of us, “Be strong and courageous”. God knows the plans he has for you. Stop waiting around and move! Stop doubting yourself and believe when God made you He made you with purpose. You Matter! Simple as that, now act like it. Don’t be tossed to and fro by your thoughts, reel them in and rely on Jesus for His strengthen. You were built for this! God knows us and he cares; He tells us to be strong and courageous because He’s on our side and He can’t fail.
I challenge the one who doesn’t want to stand up and say that he or she knows God because of fear to be strong and very courageous; and to the one that feels alone, know that God is right beside you encouraging you by name saying, “be strong and very courageous”; and to the one that doubts your calling, know that you have been called! “Be strong and very courageous.” You’re on the right side! The winning side and not one single obstacle can stop you. Pray and “be strong and very courageous!”