Be Strong & Courageous

Be Strong & Courageous

Introduction

The Scriptures are filled with comforting words that encourage us to do these things and embrace what God has for us.

Joshua 1:1-18 ESV

The book of Joshua is an account of God keeping His Promise to Abraham of giving his descendants that land of Canaan for an inheritance. The opening chapter contains God's charge to Joshua where God commands Joshua to be courageous. He calls him to meditate on the words of the covenant that He has made with Israel. And He gives Joshua the Promise of His Presence with us continually in his life.

These words are for us. We face much in our lives daily that takes courage to face. I want to encourage you today by expounding on these words.

1. The Command to be Courageous

Joshua 1:6 ESV

"Be strong and courageous..."

Joshua 1:7 ESV

"Only be strong and very courageous..."

Joshua 1:9b ESV

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed..."

Joshua 1:18 ESV the people declare their wish that Joshua will:

"Only be strong and courageous..."

The LORD chose Joshua to accomplish a particular thing in the history of his family, in the people of God, and in the history of the world. He was not called to do what Moses had done or what the judges and kings who would one day follow him.

He was fashioned by God for a specific purpose at a specific point in history. He was to help distribute the Promised Land to the tribes of Israel.

You're here at this time in history where you are for a reason. It takes courage to figure out why and then to do it.

This is why in Deuteronomy 31:23 when the LORD appointed Joshua through Moses to lead Israel he said:

"And the Lord commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you.”

That's at least six times during this crucial moment of Joshua's life that the LORD repeats the words "be strong and courageous."

The words are repeated during transitional moments of life. In Deuteronomy 31 Moses speaks these words to Joshua his successor. The Lord repeats these words to Joshua in Joshua 1. Joshua repeats these words to the children of Israel. David repeats them to Solomon when Solomon is about to build the temple. Hezekiah repeats them when he is rebuilding and retaking things that Israel has lost.

Fear and anxiety are a part of the human condition.

There is a reason that the Bible is filled with admonitions not to fear.

Fear can cripple us in the present and have bowel-shaking effects in the future as we look back over our lives. Mark Twain said:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

There are more than one type of fear that hinders us from possessing God's best for our lives.

In her book "Do It Scared: Finding the Courage to Face Your Fears, Overcome Obstacles, and Create a Life You Love," author Ruth Soukup, suggests seven fear archetypes that hold us back from doing all that we might do in life: The Procrastinator, the Rule Follower, the People Pleaser, the Outcast, the Self-Doubter, the Excuse Maker, and the Pessimist.

The Procrastinator is often the perfectionist. The fear of everything not being absolutely perfect can stop you from even beginning. But, you cannot edit or perfect something you never start. The LORD says to the Procrastinators, "Be strong and take courage! Start somewhere. Set a deadline go!" By the way, you're not going to obtain perfection in this life!

The Rule Follower is afraid of doing something "wrong" and this fear keeps them from doing anything! The LORD says to the Rule Followers, "Chill out and practice some self-compassion. You often require more of yourself than I do. Stop it! Let My Words guide you and not your unrealistic expectations of yourself. Perfect Love casts out fear!"

The People Pleaser is afraid of being judged by others and worry about disappointing them to the point that they can never make forward motion in life. They have unhealthy boundaries and cannot say "no." No is a one-word boundary. Being an emotionally mature adult means that I can give and receive a no and be okay with it. The LORD is calling someone to have the courage not to fear what others think and do what He is calling you to do.

The Outcast may seem fearless on the outside, but often their rejection of others and their isolation is driven by their own fear of rejection. God is saying to the Outcast, "Fear not! You are loved and accepted! I died for you!"