The Bible records God urging him not to stray from His laws and commands. Strength and courage flowed through Joshua as He obeyed the Lord via the laws God left with Moses. For New Testament believers, we know God is in us, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in every believer in Jesus Christ. Our sovereign, omnipotent God, Creator of the Universe and Author of our steps, is with us.įor Joshua in the Old Testament, knowing God rooted his confident steps. “When Jacob awoke from his sleep,” Genesis 28:16 reads, “he thought, ‘Surely the LORD is in this place, and I was not aware of it.’” He is near. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” ( v15) The reason Joshua, and we, do not have to fear, has everything to do with who God is. “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go,” God spoke to Jacob in his dream, recorded in Genesis 28, “and I will bring you back to this land. “They were called to face their fears because it would train them to put their trust in the right Hope,” The author of Hebrews quoted Deuteronomy 31:6, emphasizing God’s faithfulness to provide for His people, both spiritually and physically. “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you never will I forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5 reminds us to apply the Old Testament Scriptures to our new covenant lives: “By trusting in the Lord and obeying him, his followers would be victorious in spite of great obstacles,” the NIV Study Bible explains. Courageous, to be strong, alert, courageous, brave, stout, bold, solid, hard. Strong, translated from the original Hebrew, means to strengthen, prevail, harden, be strong, become strong, be courageous, be firm, grow firm, be resolute. Selfless, loving, and truthful encouragement. Encouragement comes from the very heart of God. “While they had the power of God engaged for them,” Matthew Henry explained in his commentary, “they had no reason to fear all the powers of Canaan engaged against them.” We give pep talks to our kids before big events, and we pump up our teammates before a game or a meet. One where he likely felt the nervous angst that rises up in the human gut when we are charged with something big and the time comes to execute the task at hand. And finally, in Joshua 1:9, he was to be strong and courageous in terms of endurance.” This was a big moment for Joshua. James Emery White explains, “He was to be strong and courageous in obeying God’s word. “Joshua was to be strong and courageous as he led the people,” Dr. God speaks through many, just as he did Moses to Joshua, to equip and cheer us on in our mission for the gospel. “What God has made our duty,” Matthew Henry explains, “we have reason to expect opportunity and assistance from him for the doing of.” Those who have gone before us can take the weight we bear off of our shoulders and speak peace and truth into our lives. We all need mentors in the faith to encourage us. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you he will never leave you nor forsake you. “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you he will never leave you or forsake you.” What Does it Mean to Be Strong and Courageous in Deuteronomy 31?Īfter Moses addressed the people of Israel, he turned his attention specifically to Joshua: When we feel afraid to climb the mountains and accept the missions God has called us to, we can embrace and recall this truth: “Be strong and courageous. Out of His great love for us, He involves us in His eternal plan that every ear should have a chance to hear the Gospel. He is the God of miracles, the God of the impossible, the God of creation, and the God who rescues us. “Who am I,” Moses said to God, “that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11) In every who am I moment, we can remember our I am God. Often, when we find the tasks God purposes for our lives insurmountable and impossible, our reaction is to shrink away, feeling unqualified and undeserving of such roles and responsibilities. Imagine having to fill the shoes of Moses. Moses spoke these words to Israel, and to Joshua, as he passed the torch of responsibility to lead them into the promised land. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you he will never leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
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