Be Strong And Courageous
Joshua 1:9
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.”
God has plans for your life which He prepared even before you were born. He also made provision for everything you will need to fulfil those plans.
When the Lord appointed Joshua as leader of the Israelites, they had wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years. Moses had died and Joshua was the man chosen by God to lead the people into the promised land. However, the Lord’s plans and His people are always met with opposition and Joshua was no exception. Twice in Joshua 1, God told him to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:9) and once he even told him to be strong and very courageous (Joshua 1:7). You see God knew that Joshua was going to have to go into battle against powerful enemies who were better equipped and trained than the Israelites. The natural and reasonable response was that defeat was inevitable and it would have been, apart from God! But the Lord had promised to always be with Joshua, so the truth was it was his enemies who had reason to be afraid!
The Lord also told Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged. Fear and discouragement are two of Satan’s most powerful tools. Whenever we face difficulties or delay, those emotions are quick to raise their ugly heads - sometimes they are the logical response because the opposition seems to be too difficult or even impossible to overcome. And the truth is without God they often are!
Jesus said “In this world you will have trouble. But take courage! I have overcome the world”, (John 16:33). Jesus has already overcome all our enemies. They no longer have any power over us except to try and deceive us into thinking that we are the ones who are powerless. Satan will use all sorts of tactics to discourage us: family troubles, health issues, financial or work issues. Sometimes we feel alone, abandoned, forgotten. We may even think that God is the author of our troubles, perhaps as a punishment for sinful behaviour. But Satan is a liar. Jesus was already delivered over to death for our sins and raised up for our justification, to make us right with God. (Romans 4:25). Our sins have been paid for in full (Hebrews 10:10). Jesus said, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10). The source of the opposition is always the thief (Satan) but Jesus brings truth and life.
Today if you are facing opposition, don’t be surprised. Jesus said it would happen. If you are feeling fearful or discouraged, see it for what it is – a tool of the enemy to steal your peace, hope and faith. The Lord’s word to you today is the same as it was to Joshua – be strong and courageous, don’t be afraid and don’t be discouraged because He is with you wherever you go.
Thank You Jesus, that You came to give me life to the full. I receive that abundant life today. Help me to walk in strength and courage. Because you are with me, I can face whatever is ahead and by faith I have the victory. Amen