Be strong and courageous.
In the book of Joshua ,the very first chapter itself ,is written not once but four times .
- Verse 6 ,Be strong and courageous ..
- Verse 7,Be strong and very courageous.
- Verse 9 I command you — Be strong and courageous .
- Verse 18 So be strong and courageous .
God was just preparing Joshua ,to be strong and courageous. God had a plan for Joshua ,and He was assuring him ,that He will be with him He will never leave nor forsake him. While God was speaking to Joshua ,his faith was on the rise ,he had full assurance that God was with him, and He will never fail him.
Listening to the voice of God and obeying Him is what God wants from His chosen ones . Why was God telling Joshua to be strong and courageous ?
Joshua was appointed as a new leader of Israel. After Moses death ,Joshua had to bring the Israelites into the promised land.
God was placing a huge responsibility on Joshua’s shoulders; forty years before that, the Israelites were on the brink of entering the Promised Land but because of their unbelief that generation spent forty years in the wilderness .That was not the will of God had for them .God’s heart desire was to bring them into the land flowing with milk and honey. He wanted to give them Land filled with large and beautiful cities they did not build,house filled with good things they did not fill , wells they did not dig ,vineyards and olive trees they did not plant (Dt.6:10 to 11).
God wanted to see His children live a life of abundance .They were never sick, never were they hungry ,there was no lack for them.
He wanted them to enjoy the fruits and labour of another .
In other words ,He was willing to give them readymade ,that the giants had built.
Out of the 12 spies sent by Moses to spy the Land (Numbers14 :7-9) these 10 spies saw huge giants , and fear gripped them ,even though they were able men who feared God.They were men of Truth and hated covetousness .Despite having all the leadership attributes none of these spies or leaders whom Moses appointed entered the Promised Land ,except Joshua and Caleb , because these two focused on the promises and goodness of God .
Actually the people of Israel had seen God’s mighty hand when they crossed the Red Sea ,they saw the miracles God showed to His people when Pharaoh rebelled against God .They saw the water turned into blood .The plague of frogs , gnats ,flies ,plague against livestock hail ,death of Egypt’s firstborn .
The 10 lacked courage and fear paralyzed them because these leaders were fearful and the entire generation was robbed of God’s promises in their lives .
Many times we too have such problems in our lives ,instead of fixing our eyes on Jesus ,we look at our problems and we fail ,negativity enters our mind ,fear grips us ,we become doubtful ,and nothing seems to go right .
Let us be like Joshua and Caleb and focus on God .
Father , You are a loving God ,your desire is to see your children enjoy the abundant life in Christ .Teach us to stay focused on Your goodness , by worshipping You in spirit and Truth . Being obedient to Your Living Word ,but to fix our eyes on Jesus the author and developer of our faith .
He is the Promised Land ,flowing with milk and honey .
No matter what comes our way ,challenges. problems ,tension ,sickness , we choose to see how Christ has paid the price in full for us so that we enjoy the abundance of His unconditional love ,peace protection and provision in every area of our life .Thank You Lord ,be glorified in our lives .
Sol.Helen Pereira