Be Strong and Courageous

In the book of Joshua, God commissions him to lead the Israelites into the promised land after Moses’ death. In chapter one, and throughout the book of Joshua, God repeatedly tells him to be “strong and courageous”. In fact, “be strong and courageous” is repeated many times in the Bible, not only to Joshua but to others. 

When God commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites he repeats “be strong and courageous” three times in chapter one. Why does God repeat these words so many times? Does he feel Joshua may not be up to what God is asking? Does he think Joshua will back out on him? Does he feel Joshua is weak in spirit? 

Joshua had big shoes to fill, that was certain. What if he could not live up to being the kind of leader that Moses was? Can you imagine working with someone your whole life and then being asked to be in charge after he left his position? The amount of pressure would be intense; it could bring fear and uncertainty.   

In Joshua’s calling, does God call him to be mentally or physically strong? I think a little bit of both. God had many physical battles lined up for Joshua which would require great physical strength. But most of all he needed mental strength. God needed someone as a leader who would carry his strength and courage over to the people who were fighting for him. He needed all kinds of strength, physical, emotional and moral and he needed to pass that on to his people.  

God told Joshua to “be strong and courageous” not as a suggestion but as a command. God knows that some of the days he will be directing Joshua will not always be easy. He tells him to move forward and he will be with him through what is to come. Does God command us today? Of course he does. His commandments are described as such in the Old Testament, ten things that God requires of us. 

God commands us to “be strong and courageous” through Bible verses also. Isaiah 41:10 says, “Do not fear, for I am with you, do not be afraid for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”. God tells us he is with us always, he will give us strength, he will be there, we just need to call on him.

David repeats the word of God to his son Solomon in 1 Chronicles 28:20, “Be strong and of good courage … do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you”. David fought in many wars and he knew what he was talking about. He wrote many songs, or what we know today as the Psalms, to God asking for his love and protection. In Psalm 27, a Psalm of David, he writes, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” 

So if you are hit with hard times in your life, just remember Joshua, be strong and courageous. Ask God to be with you by your side and you can get through anything. 

Dear God, please be with me. When I am not strong, give me faith and courage to get through tough times. Amen. 




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