Be Strong And Courageous For I Am With You

Be Strong and Courageous | Edvance Christian Schools Association

TUE Evening Prayer Reflection 010521 (Joshua 1: 1-9)

When we read the Old Testament, we often discover the character of God in his relationship with the nation of Israel. We discover that God had a soft spot for them. At times we come across people of high integrity whom God delighted in just like Joshua. Joshua was Moses’ young assistant; he went on to be part of the spies that went into the promised land and gave a positive report. That’s when his incredible talent as a leader, his faith and wisdom was observed. In this passage, Moses began to prepare him to lead Israel in the task of entering the promised land. Joshua was rather an example of wisdom, courage, faithfulness and piety.

What’s fascinating to me is how Joshua was noticed by his community as well as God for his firm display of faith in YHWH the God of Israel. His spying report had shown a great deal of trust in the power of God to deliver the nation of Israel despite the presence of Giants in the land. When we believe in God, it doesn’t mean we won’t be scared of the circumstances, it means that we have firm belief that God will soon move in our favor, even if there is no inkling to that happening. Joshua believed in YHWH!

After the death of Moses, God chose Joshua to replace Moses. The way God supported him must have taken out all form of doubt or dissent. Moses endured opposition almost all his life, it looks like his successor wasn’t going to struggle as much judging from what the Lord was saying: (1) Every place that your foot will tread upon, I have given to you. (2) None shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. (3) As I was with Moses. So, I will be with you, I will not fail you or forsake you. (4) Be strong and courageous, for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. That is some mighty promises right there! However, these promises are not without boundaries. Verse 7 says: “Only be strong and courageous, be careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go.”

In any relationship, there has to be some boundaries, if not, it is most likely that clashes will follow. Not only God empowers Joshua for the mighty task ahead to lead the nation into the promised land, but also God specifies conditions out of which such promises would function. God tells Joshua his expectations of staying within the bounds of the law.

When I thought about that, I was drawn to think of Joshua’s new position. It must have been tough to fill the shoes of a leader like Moses! He had been the father of the nation of Israel, He had led the nation in thin and thick and was respected in such a way that is unprecedented in the history of the nation. So naturally anyone aspiring to replace him would cower in front of such an important position. Regardless, Joshua being a faith filled guy, he listened carefully to God’s promises and proceeded with courage to fit the level of the position God gave him.

All this makes me think that as followers of Christ, we are not promised trouble-less lives. We know we were chosen by God. The Bible tells us that God loved us first… It means that God chose us in the same way that He chose Joshua to be the leader of the nation of Israel with a specific task in mind. Our task is to shine as active witnesses of the love of Christ. I am convinced that the same promises that God gave to Joshua can apply to us: Be Strong and Courageous for I am with you!

Amen.

 

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