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!"
The Self Doubter is constantly putting themselves down out of fear of their inadequacies. The LORD says, "Be strong and courageous! I made you who you are. You can do more than you think you can." He told Joshua, everywhere the sole of your shoe touches, I will give you! God wants you to walk in dominion realizing that you are who He has said that you are! Expand your comfort zone a little at a time, one step at a time. Don't let self doubt keep you from possessing what I have promised!
The Excuse Maker has a fear of taking responsibility for their life choices and goals. The LORD gave Joshua little goals along the way as he led Israel to conquer and possess the Promised Land. God says to you today, "Stop making excuses and start making goals! Be strong and courageous!"
The Pessimist struggles with the fear of adversity and hardship. Some people have a problem for every solution. Yes, there are battles ahead. God spoke faith into Joshua's mind! Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or you can't, your right!"
(See https://advice.theshineapp.com/articles/the-7-types-of-fear-that-block-us-and-how-to-overcome-them/)
God wants you to overcome the fear that has held you back from pursuing the promises he has for you!
Strong is defined as resolute. Strength is not the absence of weakness or faults.
We need it at the moments of change in our lives. We need it if we are going to follow through. It takes strength and courage to start, but sometimes it takes more strength to follow through.
One dictionary definition for courageous is "not deterred by danger or pain; brave." Courage is not the absence of fear or apprehension. It is doing it whether you can or not.
2. The Call to Cogitate
Joshua 1:7a-8 ESV
"...being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
A friend of mine once told be that I had to "Keep doing what keeps you good." I took those words to heart.
The Christian walk is about the long game. It is a lifetime marathon, not a seasonal sprint.
Far too many people are great starters, but it is those who endure to the end that find themselves obtaining the prize.
God has given us His Word in the Bible and its principles work when applied.
James said, "Do not be a forgetful hearer of the Word, but be a doer of the works" (James 1:22-25).
Do not turn to the right hand or the left. The Scriptures help us to stay in our lane as we run the race of life. It is filled with principles and precept, guidelines for living.
Joshua is told to not allow the Book of the Law to depart from his mouth, but meditate on it day and night. The idea is that of a ruminant with multiple stomachs who regurgitate their foot to continue to chew it. There is power in meditation on the Words of Scripture and the instruction of the Spirit. What we fill our minds with have a way of filling our hearts, and what fills our hearts controls our desires and it is our desires that ultimately guide our lives.
We are saved at the new birth, we are being saved as we walk in step with the Spirit, and we will be saved once we have reached the world to come!
God calls us to meditate on the Words of the Covenant. The Words of the New Covenant are a better Word than the Words of Moses given to Joshua!
Jesus died for us! We are loved and accepted by God! The image of God is continually being restored in us! We are a part of the family of God! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us! We have been given all things that pertain to life and godliness! We are partakers of the Divine Nature!
3. The Commitment of the Comforter
Joshua 1:5b ESV
"Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you."
Joshua 1:9c ESV
"...the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:17b ESV the people pronounce their wish to Joshua:
"...may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses!"
The LORD encourages Joshua with a commitment to be with him.
Jesus told the disciples in John 14 that He would not leave them orphans, but that He would come to them as the Holy Spirit.
He told them in Matthew 28:20 that He would be with them even to the end of the age.
As we see the world around us changing we can take comfort in these words.
It is easy to be strong and courageous when you know who is with you.
When you are headed into a fight, it is a consolation when you have backup. We have the best backup!
"As I was with Moses..." When God met Moses at the burning bush, Moses was initially scared. He wouldn't even speak to Pharaoh. But the longer we read the story the bolder Moses gets. Hey! You've seen God do some things in your life. You have been through some hills and some valleys and He has not left you!
God promises to be with Joshua, to never leave or forsake Him. This is a promise that is repeated in the NT by the writer of Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:5 says, "Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you."
Stick with God and He will stick with you.
2 Chronicles 15:2 tells us about the words of a prophet: "and he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Hear me, Asa, and all Judah and Benjamin: The Lord is with you while you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you."
Jeremiah 17:13 says, "O Lord the hope of Israel, all who forsake you shall be put to shame; those who turn away from you shall be written in the earth, for they have forsaken the Lord, the fountain of living water."
And Paul wrote to Timothy:
2 Timothy 2:11-13 ESV
11 The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with Him, we will also live with Him;12 if we endure, we will also reign with Him;if we deny Him, He also will deny us;13 if we are faithless, He remains faithful—
for He cannot deny Himself.
What a Promise! The Promise of the Holy Spirit is for everyone!
Without Him we can do nothing!
But, the beautiful thing is that He is with us! And so he calls each of us today to lay aside our fears!
John said it this way:
1 John 4:18 NIV
"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love."
Acts 2:38-19 NIV
"Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Application
Have you committed your life to Him?
Have you been buried together with Christ by being baptized in His Name?
Do you have the Comforter abiding in your life?
Are you meditating on His Word daily?
Conclusion:
REAL COURAGE
"Courage is not limited to the battlefield or the Indianapolis 500 or bravely catching a thief in your house. The real tests of courage are much deeper and much quieter. They are the inner tests, like remaining faithful when nobody's looking, like enduring pain when the room is empty, like standing alone when you're misunderstood."
(Source: Charles Swindoll, from a sermon by Johnny Creasong, "Red White & Blue" June 2008)
