Be Strong—Be Bold!

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. —Joshua 1:9

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Israel was at a crossroad. They had left Egypt —the land of slavery—years previous, and were on their way to possess the Promised Land that God had given to their forefather Abraham.

Their leader, Moses, has died and a new leader has been chosen: Joshua. The name means “Yahweh Saves.” He would lead God’s people into the Land of Promise.

However, God knows that this would not be a time for timidity. This would require courage on the part of his people.

So, God gives Joshua the following instructions:

“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.“

Whenever God calls us to something bold, it will take extra courage. So He says “Be strong and courageous.” Then, for emphasis, He repeats Himself:

“Be strong and very courageous.”

God knows that it will take an extra measure of courage to complete this mission. Then he gives Joshua a map to victory:

“Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.”

Study this Book of Instruction continually. God tells Joshua that, to accomplish His purposes, he must understand God’s instructions. He wants Joshua to know, consider, then thoughtfully follow through.

In fact, He says to meditate on it day and night.

Day and night.

Day and night.

Why? So that you may follow through to do all that is written in it.

Notice what He says next: Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. Their success hinges on it.

Then God finishes by repeating the need for courage—again:

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” —Joshua 1:6–9

I love this: He tells Joshua that, although it will be a time for extraordinary courage, the reason he can have confidence is this: Because the LORD your God will be with you—wherever you go.

Wherever you go.

And it’s not by mistake that he is named Joshua. The name Jesus in Hebrew is Joshua (the LORD’s Salvation). Jesus is the Chosen One who will ultimately save His people, bringing them into his Kingdom—the Kingdom of God—the Ultimate Land of Promise.

Most of us haven’t been called to lead a nation. But we have been called to be his witnesses—to tell others what good things Jesus has done in your life. And that will take boldness. That will take courage.

Remember: If he has called you to it, he will see you through it.

And take this to heart: The LORD your God will be with you—wherever you go.

Be strong. Be courageous. Allow fear no quarter. Move ahead with confidence.

And this is his promise: He is with you wherever you go.

Blessings,
Pastor Bill

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Bill Herried is a pastor at CenterPoint Church in Tacoma, Washington and is married to the most extraordinary woman on the planet. Together they have 3 adult children and 5 grandchildren. He has been the lead pastor at CenterPoint Christian Fellowship in Tacoma since 2006.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay