Young Adults' Group

Be Strong And Of Good Courage

by Pastor Mark
July 04, 2019

Facing a new challenge

As we enter into the second half of the year, we don’t know what we may encounter in the days ahead. The situations of life can change very quickly, whether expected or not. New challenges are to be faced. How we respond to these new circumstances of life is a real test of our faith and spirit. Will we allow the challenges of life to overwhelm us? Will we allow our fears to cripple us? When Moses, the great leader of Israel, passed on, Joshua was given the formidable task of taking over the leadership of the people of God. God gave the command for Joshua and Israel to enter into the promised land, to defeat the many nations residing there and to inhabit the land. It was a seemingly insurmountable task. However, God gave to Joshua words of inspiration and encouragement for him to rise to the task at hand.

Be strong and of good courage       

How was Joshua going to be strong and of good courage?

1. Faith in the promise of the presence of the Lord

“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Josh 1:6)

God gave the challenge for Joshua to be strong and not to feel weak. He needed to have good courage rather than fear. It was time for Joshua to exercise His faith in the promise of the Lord, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Josh 1:5) The Lord gave a wonderful promise to Joshua. No enemy would be able to withstand him and his army. They would be thoroughly defeated. More importantly, there was the promise of the presence of the Lord. The Lord had demonstrated His presence with Moses before, and Joshua had personally seen and experienced this. The Lord, in the same comparable way, would be with him as he carried out the task of inheriting the land. There would be the continuance of the presence of the Lord with Joshua. He had to learn to have faith in the promise of the Lord to find that strength and courage for the task ahead.

2. Focus on the right things

“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.” (Joshua 1:7)

God’s challenge to Joshua was not to be distracted in any way. He needed to focus on being strong and very courageous. He needed the strength and courage to do all that the Lord had commanded him. He should not be distracted by turning to the right or the left. If he were to stay focused and not be distracted, the Lord would undoubtedly prosper him and give Israel the success of overcoming the nations.

3. Fight against all fears and discouragements

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

God gave the command for Joshua to be strong and of good courage that he may fight against whatever fears and feelings of being dismayed. There was no need for him to harbour these negative feelings when the Lord was with him. When the Lord’s presence is with us, there is nothing at all for us to fear. As we face new challenges in the second half of 2019, let us seek to be strong and of good courage.

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