Be Strong and Courageous

Good Morning!

Many of you who read the Good Mornings aren’t old enough to remember when President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. But a few – like myself – were in school when the news first broke. My first inkling came when a fellow named David (I can’t remember his last name … getting old I guess) came running down the walkway, transistor radio at his ear, telling everyone he saw that Kennedy had been shot. The class I was headed to was World Geography. We sat stunned as the PA announced that the President was dead. I know in my mind was running the thought “who is going to govern”. I did understand the succession rules … but at that moment, I would have flunked even the most simplest of American government tests. Our leader was dead.

Imagine being Joshua when Moses died. You know, Moses habitually went off for periods of time into the mountains. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, Moses wandered off for a last time. (I am speaking from the perspective of Joshua here.) He never came back. So, when we begin reading the book of Joshua, it begins with this passage:

Joshua 1:1-9 (New International Version, ©2011)
Joshua Installed as Leader
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Imagine the immediate concern Joshua felt when the Lord told him that Moses was dead. I wonder how Joshua got to the next words that God was speaking. Moses – dead? The one who faced down the Pharaoh is dead? The person who led us through the Red Sea is now gone and not coming back? What are we going to do? How are we going to go forward without him?

God then gave Joshua marching orders. It was time to get out of the wilderness and into the Promised Land. But to do that would take strength and courage. Three times in this passage, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. I think the emphasis was apparent.

Serving God requires us to be strong in our faith in Him and to have the courage to take a stand with Him. Take a look at verse 5: 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Did that mean Joshua would never taste defeat? No – when God’s people disobeyed, they were defeated. But God never forsook them … and when they were obedient, they were victorious.

I wonder – does God promise us the same thing? I believe He does. When we are obedient, we can count on God to see us through the most difficult of times. So, let us be strong and courageous. Let’s not be afraid or be discouraged. God will be with us wherever we go.

Agape’


Mr. Jim