Courage

Be strong and courageous, for you shall give this people possession of the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  – Joshua 1:6

The Lord gave this charge to Joshua after Moses died and before he was to lead Israel into the Promised Land. The land was not empty. Nor were the inhabitants cheering and hanging out the “Welcome, Israel!” signs on their city gates. The land was filled with hostiles—enemies who served other gods and practiced evil! Why did the Lord command Joshua three times not to be afraid but to be courageous instead? Joshua didn’t have Moses to follow, and the enemy was formidable!

Being courageous is doing something difficult in the face of opposition. Most people look within themselves to come up with the strength to overcome the difficulty or attempt the impossible. God says courage must come from faith in Him, not from within ourselves.

Here is what the Lord told Joshua about the source of courage: “Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go” (1:7).

The Word of God is the source of our inspiration to be courageous. Believing in and acting on His Word helps us trust Him for courage. “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you” (1:5).

What fear has kept you from doing God’s will? What person makes you anxious? Make the Lord the source of your courage by reading, believing, and obeying His word.