Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be in dread or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 LSB
There are military and law enforcement personnel who answered a call to do a job that requires them to run into gunfire. There are firefighters who run into burning buildings. Not all of us are called to do these things, but we are all called to do something.
God calls each of us to do something. If you feel God hasn’t called you to do anything, it may be because you aren’t listening. Or maybe you have sin in your life you refuse to let go of and it’s creating a barrier (Isaiah 59:2).
We were put here to serve Him. Ephesians 2:10 tells us we were created in Jesus Christ to do good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
Moses had brought the Israelites out of Egypt and had spent 40 years dealing with their whining, complaining and falling in and out of idolatry. Because he disobeyed God, he was not allowed to go into the Promised Land. Joshua was called by God to take Moses’ place and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
Joshua, Caleb and ten other men had scouted the land in advance. Ten men reported they could not go in and take the land because the people were giants, and the cities were fortified (Numbers 13:32-33). Joshua and Caleb reported that the land was fertile and yielded good fruit and was flowing with milk and honey (Numbers 13:26-27). They knew with God’s help they could take this land. They knew they could conquer the inhabitants with God fighting for them. They had faith in God.
God is calling Joshua to be strong and courageous. When God calls Joshua to be strong, He calls on Joshua to be strong in God’s strength. He does the same for us. He never calls us to do something He doesn’t equip us to do.
Let’s look at what God tells Joshua in the first 8 verses of Joshua chapter 1.
In verse two he calls Joshua to arise and take the Israelites across the Jordan. This is a daunting task in itself, but God has plans to stop the Jordan from flowing so they can cross on dry land, just as He did at the Red Sea. He assures Joshua that He has given these lands to them. They must go in and take the land. This means God will fight the inhabitants for them and the land will be theirs. He will give them victory, it’s a done deal.
God tells Joshua in verse five no man will be able to stand before Joshua. God assures Joshua, he will not fail him or forsake him. In verses 6-8 God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous three separate times.
In verse 7, God tells Joshua to be strong and very courageous. He tells Joshua to be careful to obey His commands. God promises Joshua that he will prosper wherever he goes.
John Wayne once defined courage as being scared to death but saddling up anyway. Courage doesn’t mean an absence of fear, but we must not let fear overcome our faith. We must have the courage to do what God calls us to do even if we are afraid.
God knew He was calling Joshua to do a very difficult task. He knew Joshua would experience dread and fear at times. In verse 9, he tells him not to be in dread or be dismayed for God will be with him wherever he goes.
Being a Christian is not easy. Doing what is right is sometimes extremely difficult and can even be downright scary. Either way, we must trust that God is there with us. He tells us in Isaiah 41:10 not to fear for He is our God, He will make us mighty, He will uphold us with His righteous right hand.
Whatever God is calling you to do be strong and courageous, trust in Him. Be obedient and don’t be afraid to answer the call. He’s got this and He’s got you.
Have a great day!