God's Command

"Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have 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 success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." -Joshua 1.6-9

Before Moses died he charged Joshua to be strong and courageous (Deuteronomy 31), and here God is speaking to Joshua giving him the same command. Joshua is about to lead the people into the land that was promised to Abraham, to do so he must be strong. He must be resolute and determined. This is no easy task that he is about to undertake. The road ahead is full of battle and peril. Joshua must be strong and persevere to the end. He must be courageous. He needs to be bold as he leads the fighting. The Promised Land is not going to be taken sitting down, it will only happen after battles have been won, so as the leader he needs to have extreme courage.

But there is more to leadership than simply heading up the charge. He must be committed to God, steadfast in his faith, refusing to waver for any reason. He is to constantly teach and proclaim the law, and meditate on it day and night. He is to deeply contemplate and reflect upon the words of God so that he can carefully observe them and model them for the people.

God's final command to Joshua here is again to be strong and courageous. There is no need for fear or discouragement because God is with him wherever he goes.

Men, do you meditate on the word of God, and proclaim it in word and action? Do you choose strength and courage? Remember fear is a choice, as is being discouraged. Let us focus on God, always knowing that He is with us, and the closer we get to Him the closer He will draw to us.

Let us be strong. Let us be resolute and determined to endure through the hardships we face on the road to claiming God's promise. Let us be courageous. Let us be bold, rejecting fear, and move forward to victory. God is with us wherever we go, let us live like that is true.

"Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

To God alone be the Glory!

Strength and Honor