Be Strong And Of Good Courage

by Pastor Mark
July 29, 2021

The challenge to be strong and of good courage

I was greatly challenged by Sunday’s Morning Worship message concerning how Joshua as a leader could be strong and of good courage. Joshua 1 is a passage that I have read and studied many times. But what Pastor taught us was most enlightening as I learnt more deeply how we should understand the challenge to be strong and of good courage. We tend to think that strength would come if we were to just focus on the challenge given. But there is so much more to understand and apply in order to find the strength and the courage we need.

The Lord repeated and emphasised the phrase “be strong and of good courage” three times (Joshua 1:6,7,9). He revealed to Joshua three ways in which he was to apply this challenge.

  1. The task to allocate the land for the children of Israel (Joshua 1:6)
  2. The observation of the Law which Moses had commanded Joshua (Joshua 1:7)
  3. The challenge not to be afraid or dismayed (Joshua 1:9)

This was the part that Joshua had to fulfil. As we were given a fresh understanding of this passage, what were some of the lessons I’ve learnt about being strong and of good courage?

Lessons about being strong and of good courage

1. A new relationship established

One vital lesson was how God established a new relationship with Joshua, “The LORD spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant.” (Joshua 1:1) God was no longer speaking to Joshua through Moses. He was speaking to Joshua directly. It was a new relationship that God had established with Joshua as he began his ministry of leading the people of Israel. God gave special encouragement to Joshua. He promised Joshua that no man would stand before him, and as He was with Moses, His presence would be with him (Joshua 1:5). The challenge to be strong and of good courage would be of great significance and encouragement to Joshua as it came directly from God three times. Let us also deepen our relationship with God in understanding and applying the challenge for us to be strong and of good courage.

2. Meditation of the Lord’s Word

The Lord encouraged Joshua to regard the Word of God as of utmost importance. The challenge was to observe all that Moses had written in the Book (Joshua 1:7). He was to meditate on God’s Law day and night (Joshua 1:8). Joshua was to practise meditating each day as he commenced and continued his ministry in leading the children of Israel. Our meditation should be on the Word of God and to consider how we should practise it. It is only in the contemplation and fulfilling of the Word of God that we will be able to find strength and courage that we need for our life and ministry.

3. Application

Being strong and of good courage should not be a matter of knowledge and understanding only. It is also about applying what we have learnt that we would be able to find strength and courage. For me, it is in learning to have a fresh and deeper relationship with the Lord that we can find strength and courage. I’m encouraged to be diligent in meditating on the Lord’s Word night and day, learning to go deeper in my understanding and faith. Let us be challenged to find the strength and courage to fulfil all that the Lord has called us to do.

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