Is Strong And Courageous In The Lord

Is Strong And Courageous In The Lord

A HERO’S TALE

Moses was dead. The man who had led Israel out of Egypt was buried east of the Jordan River, just short of the Promised Land.

Hundreds of thousands of Israelites from the Egyptian Exodus were also gone. They had perished while wandering in the desert for 40 years —punishment for fearing the Canaanites more than trusting God.

Now, Moses’ assistant, Joshua, was ready to lead Israel into the land that God had promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier.

But Canaan was filled with mighty fortresses and powerful enemy armies. What’s more, the Anakim, a scary race of giants who had frightened Israel’s previous generation, still lived in the land.

Imagine how nervous Joshua must have felt. With Moses gone, the huge task of conquering Canaan fell to him.

As Joshua prepared to enter the land, God commanded him to “be strong and courageous.” Fear was not allowed.

DECODING THE MESSAGE

Every hero is supposed to be strong and courageous, right? After all, when was the last time you got excited about a hero who trembles at danger? But the challenges facing Joshua were huge. Wasn’t it okay to fear just a little?

Nope.

The Bible calls fear sin. Fear shows a lack of trust in God. When we give in to fear, it’s like saying, “This danger or problem I’m facing is more powerful than God.”

And that’s a lie.

To help Joshua be strong and courageous, God reminded him of who God is. Check out his reminders in Joshua 1:1-9:

• God always keeps his promises (see verse 3).
• God blesses and protects his people (see verse 5).
• No one can change God’s plans (see verse 5).
• God is with his people wherever they go (see verses 5 and 9).

Joshua’s reasons for being strong and courageous had nothing to do with himself. They were all about who God is.

This applies to us, too. The God of Joshua’s day is the same today. He still keeps his promises, loves his people, and wants to help us in all our problems.

Because of who God is, we don’t have to fear. We can be strong and courageous when we trust in his unchanging character, love, and power!

BATTLE PLAN

The next time you’re tempted to fear, read Joshua 1:7-9 like God is talking directly to you, because he is. Those words weren’t just for Joshua. They’re for you, too!