Be strong and courageous.
These words kept finding me this week and oh, how I needed them.
I do not consider myself especially strong or courageous. In fact, I can be pretty wimpy. I don’t like the dark. I prefer fluff to actual news… I’m not even strong enough to make it through the ASPCA commercials. It’s no surprise then that when thinking about everything involved in adoption, I can get overwhelmed and that bit of strength and courage goes out the door. Here’s a peak inside Beth’s wimpy head: There’s an unlimited waiting period? Alright, sure. The fees in adoption vary? Oh, by thousands of dollars? Right. I’m looking at $27,000, you say? Okay. And, I’m becoming responsible for a child in a crazy world? Yeah, that’s not overwhelming.
When Joshua 1:9 kept showing up this week, I took note and became curious. I wanted to know what I could learn about being strong and courageous from the Book of Joshua. God’s Word did not disappoint.
These words kept finding me this week and oh, how I needed them.
I do not consider myself especially strong or courageous. In fact, I can be pretty wimpy. I don’t like the dark. I prefer fluff to actual news… I’m not even strong enough to make it through the ASPCA commercials. It’s no surprise then that when thinking about everything involved in adoption, I can get overwhelmed and that bit of strength and courage goes out the door. Here’s a peak inside Beth’s wimpy head: There’s an unlimited waiting period? Alright, sure. The fees in adoption vary? Oh, by thousands of dollars? Right. I’m looking at $27,000, you say? Okay. And, I’m becoming responsible for a child in a crazy world? Yeah, that’s not overwhelming.
When Joshua 1:9 kept showing up this week, I took note and became curious. I wanted to know what I could learn about being strong and courageous from the Book of Joshua. God’s Word did not disappoint.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. –Joshua 1:9
In the first chapter of Joshua, God tells Joshua that he will lead the Israelites to take over land. He must cross the Jordan River during flood stages and then, take the walled city of Jericho. Next, he’ll go after the Canaanites who all have something in common: a shared hatred of the Israelites. “Be strong and courageous,” God tells him.
I began to ask: Why? Joshua’s strength and courage were needed for different reasons than mine, or maybe yours. But, what it came down to is this: When there’s something overwhelming, why can I be strong and courageous? This is what I learned…
I can be strong and courageous because God gives me permission. In fact, He commands it.
In chapter 1, after God gives Joshua his task, He tells him, “Be strong and courageous” (verse 6). Like Joshua, God tells us the same. Be this. Take this. It is yours. He gives us all permission to have strength and courage.
One verse later, God tells him again, “Be strong and very courageous” (verse 7). It’s like a second later Joshua had to be reminded again. I can imagine Joshua nodding his head the first time, and then a moment later he’s thinking about crossing the Jordan, so God has to draw him back in and remind him. How often do I do the same to God?!
Finally, in verse 9a, God says to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous.” There goes Joshua’s mind wandering again, I imagine. With more force this time, God doesn’t just give Joshua permission to have strength and courage, He commands it. I can rest knowing that If God commands it, He will provide.
I can be strong and courageous because God is with me. Joshua 1:9b wraps up with an explanation of why Joshua is to be strong and courageous. It states, “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua was not alone. God was with him when he crossed the Jordan River. He was there too for bringing down the walls of Jericho. And, He was there when the Canaanites were taken out. How else would Joshua have been successful?
I am not alone either. God is with me when my mind wanders. He is there as we save our money. He is with Baby now. Amen! He will be there as we parent. There is no other reason, but God, that we will be successful.
You are not alone. God is with us. Therefore, strength and courage are ours. Amen.
I can be strong and courageous because others can share how God has provided for them. As my girl, Beth Moore, would say, “Can I get a testimony?”
God provided for Joshua and in chapter 10, he speaks to the Israelites as he prepares to defeat some of their enemies. This time it’s Joshua’s turn to say these words in verse 25: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.” Joshua had a testimony to share with others about personally experiencing God’s provisions. He is not the only one. When others share their testimonies, we’re reminded and encouraged to be strong and courageous.
We can think of how God has demonstrated His power in our friends and family’s life. I hope you see how God’s demonstrated this in mine! Be strong and courageous because there is proof all around you.
I can be strong and courageous because “[I myself] have seen everything the Lord has done.” In Joshua 23:3, it is Joshua’s turn to remind the Israelites what they themselves have experienced. I need to be reminded of this too. If I pause to consider what God has done already in my life, it’s overwhelming. Do you need to be reminded?
Now, y’all, it’s my turn to share these words: Be strong and courageous.
Strength and Courage in Him,
Beth
I began to ask: Why? Joshua’s strength and courage were needed for different reasons than mine, or maybe yours. But, what it came down to is this: When there’s something overwhelming, why can I be strong and courageous? This is what I learned…
I can be strong and courageous because God gives me permission. In fact, He commands it.
In chapter 1, after God gives Joshua his task, He tells him, “Be strong and courageous” (verse 6). Like Joshua, God tells us the same. Be this. Take this. It is yours. He gives us all permission to have strength and courage.
One verse later, God tells him again, “Be strong and very courageous” (verse 7). It’s like a second later Joshua had to be reminded again. I can imagine Joshua nodding his head the first time, and then a moment later he’s thinking about crossing the Jordan, so God has to draw him back in and remind him. How often do I do the same to God?!
Finally, in verse 9a, God says to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and very courageous.” There goes Joshua’s mind wandering again, I imagine. With more force this time, God doesn’t just give Joshua permission to have strength and courage, He commands it. I can rest knowing that If God commands it, He will provide.
I can be strong and courageous because God is with me. Joshua 1:9b wraps up with an explanation of why Joshua is to be strong and courageous. It states, “Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua was not alone. God was with him when he crossed the Jordan River. He was there too for bringing down the walls of Jericho. And, He was there when the Canaanites were taken out. How else would Joshua have been successful?
I am not alone either. God is with me when my mind wanders. He is there as we save our money. He is with Baby now. Amen! He will be there as we parent. There is no other reason, but God, that we will be successful.
You are not alone. God is with us. Therefore, strength and courage are ours. Amen.
I can be strong and courageous because others can share how God has provided for them. As my girl, Beth Moore, would say, “Can I get a testimony?”
God provided for Joshua and in chapter 10, he speaks to the Israelites as he prepares to defeat some of their enemies. This time it’s Joshua’s turn to say these words in verse 25: “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous.” Joshua had a testimony to share with others about personally experiencing God’s provisions. He is not the only one. When others share their testimonies, we’re reminded and encouraged to be strong and courageous.
We can think of how God has demonstrated His power in our friends and family’s life. I hope you see how God’s demonstrated this in mine! Be strong and courageous because there is proof all around you.
I can be strong and courageous because “[I myself] have seen everything the Lord has done.” In Joshua 23:3, it is Joshua’s turn to remind the Israelites what they themselves have experienced. I need to be reminded of this too. If I pause to consider what God has done already in my life, it’s overwhelming. Do you need to be reminded?
Now, y’all, it’s my turn to share these words: Be strong and courageous.
Strength and Courage in Him,
Beth
