Moses has died and God is speaking to Joshua. “Be strong and of good courage.” This phrase is repeated four times in the first chapter when God is instructing Joshua to prepare the people to enter into the Promised Land. Why not just open up the land and send them in? Life is incredibly difficult and God has never promised it to be an easy journey. Evil is prevailing in so many facets of our lives. As I listen to the news and the overwhelming evil in the hearts of men, these five words from God come shouting out in my head — “be strong and of good courage.”
Where that strength comes from is directly from God himself. We have no strength of our own that comes close to being able to handle what the world has to throw at Christians. Drugs, sex, lies, alcohol and so much more are ready to drag us away from God. Being proactive in our beliefs and convictions is essential in our world. Christians must know what God expects of them. We have got to stay in the Word of God and keep it real in our hearts and brains. Accountability with fellow Christians is a way in which we can continually stay focused on the path God leads us.
I will keep in my mind Rahab’s response to the spies — that her people’s hearts melted and that everyone’s courage had failed them when they heard of God’s power. Our God reigns and he is leading his people with his strength. Be strong and of good courage and depend solely on God’s love and blessings to his people.
“Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe 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.” Joshua 1:7–8
Karen E. Lawson, Charlotte, N.C.
Extended Scripture: Joshua 1–2
