Be Bold - Be Strong

Today’s meditation is based on Joshua 1:6, "Be strong and courageous, because you'll be leading this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors.” (ISV)

The Almighty God who created the heavens and the earth, spoke these words to Joshua. God spoke these words, ‘be strong and courageous’ to encourage Joshua. These were the circumstances in which the Lord spoke these words to Joshua. Moses who had led the people of Israel for forty long years had passed away, and the leadership had now passed on to Joshua. The task of leading the multitudes of Israelites to the Promised Land overwhelmed Joshua. All of the experiences of the past forty years loomed large before him, and he was filled with fear and anxiety.

The challenges Joshua faced

There were two major challenges that Joshua faced. One was the people themselves who were ungrateful and grumbled about everything who when faced with any difficulty even thought of stoning their leader Moses. Joshua knew that these rebellious people would stop at nothing. The second challenge was that in order to reach the Promised Land they had to cross the River Jordan which was in full spate, and other hurdles like the formidable and unyielding city of Jericho.

Oftentimes, our hearts are filled with fear and apprehension about the future. The past has been unpredictable, and for many they are in a state of utter weakness and hopelessness. Some are worried about their marriage, still others are concerned about their children, for many other it could be their jobs, business, economy or health. God’s promise to all such people is that you should be bold and courageous.

As Joshua stood facing huge challenges the Lord did not teach him strategies for war or special people skills to deal with the people of Israel. God just admonished Joshua to be strong and courageous. Both of these were matters pertaining to the mind.

Our warfare is not carnal

We therefore realize that all of our battles have to first of all be won in our minds. For those who are worried as to how things would be in the future, with anxieties pertaining to your children, their future, etc., let me encourage you from God’s word to be strong and courageous. All of the problems we encounter, for example issues regarding finances or health are all physical challenges related to the flesh. However, we first need to win these battles in our mind.

The word of God says in 2 Corinthians 10:3, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh.” (ESV)

To war in the flesh means to have issues in our day to day lives, most of which are with regard to relationships. For instance, when there is a conflict between husband and wife, they will not talk to each other. After a while they will sort it out, and things will become normal. Again there will be another issue, and they will do the exact same thing. Many have resigned themselves to this kind of ups and downs in relationships without trying to set things right. If we have a mindset that the relationship won’t be set in order, that’s how it will continue.

There are many young people who are not wanting to get married because of some bad experiences or from things they have seen. This is a wrong decision, because it is God’s plan that man should not be alone. Your experience or emotions may say the opposite, but remember these are changing, whereas God’s word endures forever. Don’t make decisions based on what you have seen or heard, but rather choose to obey God who knows what is best. This again is a battle of the mind, and when they cannot overcome it they make such wrong decisions.

Some husbands don’t care for their wives, and some are alcoholic. The wives get fed-up and conclude that their husbands will never change or there are others who decide that they will separate from their husbands. Remember that God’s word does not give room for divorce for the word of God is forthright that what God has joined together no man should separate. When such battles rage in our minds, we must allow God to break down the strongholds in our minds.

You may have observed how some people will never stick on to any job. Whenever you meet them you will find that they are in a new job. The reason for this is not that every employer is bad or that the situation is not good for them, but rather the fact is that there is a problem inside of them. They will become wearied about any small issue and lose heart easily. To such the Lord encourages them to be strong, courageous and to stand firm.