In Joshua 1 we learn Moses has died and God informs Joshua that he will be the new leader of His people. Joshua is to lead God’s people across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land after spending 40 years in the wilderness.
In Joshua 1:6 God tells Joshua, “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.” If I was Joshua I would likely have been very afraid and reluctant to take this on as this wouldn’t be a responsibility I would like. Joshua had spent the last 40 years in the desert with Moses and saw first-hand how God’s people had behaved, how they had treated Moses and, at times, how they didn’t show much faith in their God. I know when I am asked to do something new, it can bring about a fear of failure and of the unknown. Sometimes new responsibilities can feel like an unmanageable load of responsibility. These feelings can be overwhelming and can cause us to be incapacitated. I often wonder if Joshua had these feelings as well. So, God encouraged Joshua by telling him to be strong and courageous.
According to Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance “be strong” comes from the Hebrew word chazaq which means to fasten upon, seize, grip or hold fast, and not give up. Strong’s identifies that “be courageous” comes from the Hebrew word amets which means to be firm in purpose, determined alert or resolute. The impression I get is that Joshua is being encouraged to hold fast to God and move forward in obedience with a firm purpose. God repeats this encouragement in verses seven and nine, because Joshua needs to hear it more than once. And he does, as Israel also acknowledges their loyalty to him and encourages him to be strong and courageous in verse eighteen.
Joshua wasn’t told to be confident in his own skills and abilities but he was to be confident in God’s presence, “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:8 tells us that if we anchor ourselves in God’s word this will help us to be strong and courageous. In other words… “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.”
Being strong and courageous requires one to rely on God’s presence. Christian courage isn’t having confidence in oneself, but in God. Courage requires us to be obedient to God’s will which is revealed to us through His Holy Word. Courage is not about doing what we think is right, with all our might. It is about knowing the will of God and trusting him enough to submit completely to that will.
As mentioned I have found that the fear of doing something new or different can be paralyzing. This is why God said to Joshua: “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.” This command took stock of how Joshua already felt, and if it was me, and I was charged with this responsibility, I would be afraid too. Biblical courage does not mean that I will never be afraid. It means I will make the choice to do what is right and to do what God has called me to do despite my fear.
This concept of being strong and courageous is seen throughout scripture:
- Moses tells Joshua to be strong and courageous for the Lord God goes with him and He is preparing to pass on the leadership of Israel to him. In Deuteronomy 31:6–8 we read, “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses called for Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you shall give it to them as an inheritance. The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” and later in Deuteronomy 31:23 he states, “Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.’” We, too, can have confidence that God will go with us. We do not need to face things on our own since we know that God is by our side.
- After their victory at Makkedah, Joshua reminds Israel to be strong and courageous, for the Lord will give them victory over all the enemies they will face. We read in Joshua 10:25 these words, “Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged,” Joshua told his men but rather, “Be strong and courageous, for the LORD is going to do this to all of your enemies.” Likewise, with God on our side, we can be confident that He will help us to be successful in the battles we face.
- When David charged Solomon with building the temple he told him these words, “For you will be successful if you carefully obey the decrees and regulations that the LORD gave to Israel through Moses. Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or lose heart!” (I Chronicles 22:13) and again in 1 Chronicles 28:20 he said, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the LORD is finished correctly.” Like Solomon we need to be strong and courageous and do the work God has given us to do.
- King Hezekiah encouraged Jerusalem when they needed to fight the Assyrian army, with these words found in II Chronicles 32:7–8, “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria or his mighty army, for there is a power far greater on our side! He may have a great army, but they are merely men. We have the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles for us!” Hezekiah’s words greatly encouraged the people. The trials we face may seem over-whelming; we too have a power far greater than anything we face. God will help us through the difficulties and trials we face.
- David personally declares the necessity of waiting for the Lord while being strong and courageous. We read about this in Psalm 27:14 which states, “Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD” and again in Psalm 31:24, “So be strong and courageous, all you who put your hope in the LORD!” Waiting on the Lord can be difficult at times. However, we need to have confidence that God works things out in His time, for His glory.
- Paul exhorts the church in Corinth to be courageous and be strong. In 1 Corinthians 16:13 Paul states, “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” Stand firm is similar to the Hebrew word chazaq, used when God encouraged Joshua. Paul is reminding us of the need to stand firm in our faith, to be unwavering and resolute. This is only possible through the strength God provides (Philippians 4:13).
- In Ephesians 6:10-17 Paul reminds the church in Ephesus and us that we are in a spiritual battle and he urges us to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. He says in Ephesians 6:10, “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” After Paul reminds us we are in a spiritual battle and describes how God equips us with spiritual armour, His final word was to be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. With God at our side and with faithful obedience we will be able to be successful in all that He asks us to do.
Are you facing a challenge that has left you discouraged? Are you uncertain about the future, concerned about your family, or struggling with temptation? Maybe you have been given an opportunity to serve God, but doubt your capabilities.
What Jordan River are you being asked to cross?
What seemingly impossible task, heavy burden or calling – is God asking you to do? Where in your life is God asking you to be strong and courageous? If it is in your faith, be courageous enough to stand firm in God’s truth. If it is with your family, be courageous enough to lead with love, patience, grace and faithfulness. If it is in your service to the church, be courageous enough to use the talents and abilities God has given you to the best of your abilities. If you are not a believer, perhaps you need to be courageous enough to obey God and faithfully follow Jesus.
Don’t wait until you feel fearless, but trust God instead, stand firm in His Word, and take the next faithful step. It is comforting to know that our courage does not rest on our strength but rather on the strength and faithfulness of God. This is the same God who was with Joshua and commanded him to “be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Like Joshua we must hold firm to God and move forward in faithful obedience with a firm purpose. Let us be strong in the Lord, hold steadfast to His word. Let us remain faithful even when life becomes difficult. Let us encourage one another, and let us be willing to do the work God has placed before us. Be strong. Be courageous.
Owen Sound, ON