Be Strong and Courageous

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
⁷ “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. ⁸ 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. 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.”  Joshua 1:1-9

Moses had died and Joshua is chosen by God to lead the Israelites across the Jordan River and into the land God was giving them.  God promises them all the territory which is outlined in verse 4.  The promise continues to include verse 5, that no once will be able to stand against them.  His last part of the promise is "I will never leave you nor forsake you. Notice three times where God's message to Joshua is very clear.  The three times God speaks it are worthy of note, too.

"Be strong and courageous" because you, Joshua, are leading my people to their inheritance.

"Be strong and courageous" and be careful to obey my law.

"Be strong and courageous" for the Lord your God is going to be with you wherever you go.

God's message to Joshua was specific, leaving no doubt about the task Joshua faced.  We, too, can come to know God's promise to Joshua as a promise to us.  Whenever we find ourselves doing "God things,"  we have the presence of the Holy Spirit living in us. That's when we know we are experiencing God's strength and courage to do his will.

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