Be Strong and Very Courageous!
I’ve been reading this morning…Joshua 1:1-9. God’s promise to Joshua and to the Children of Israel is that the land lying ahead of them is theirs for the taking. The battles await, but through trust and obedience, these people WILL be delivered into this wonderful land of milk and honey! A very evident message of encouragement! Verse 9 is the most encouraging of all for me.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
How simple it is to be strong and courageous…NOT!!! The concept is easy but actions of strength and courage are not.
If I were lifting weights or sprinting up a hill, I’d have a tangible example of my strength (not that I can do either of those with any ummmphhhh!). Or if I were walking through a dark alley, with my head held high exhibiting no fear, I’d be able to measure my courage (not likely to see me walking through a dark alley, either!).
But in a life filled with challenges and dilemmas, showing strength and courage can be difficult. How do you hold your head high when your heart has plummeted to the floor and shattered around your feet? How do you boldly walk forward when the path ahead of you is treacherous, dark and loaded with danger? The promise of these scriptures in Joshua is very clear…”The Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”.
Not a person on this earth, can exist without facing trying times or scary situations and the truth is, pain hurts so very much and fear is very scary!
We have a loved one preparing to travel across the world into a country filled with turmoil and danger, yet on Friday he will board a plane to begin this journey. A land where Christians are few and the hazards are plenty! What an opportunity he will have to show a strength and courage that is tangible! We feel frightened for him…and the Lord says, “I am with you always!”
A funeral was just performed yesterday for the husband of one of gospel music’s most talented singers and a fellow sister in Christ. Today, the sun is up, the day is new, her heart is shattered and the pain in her life is overwhelming. This is one of those times when having strength and courage is the only way to survive. Our hearts break for her pain…and the Lord says, “I am with you always”.
I read a story that helps me understand how it is that strength and courage are put into action:
A child who had to walk past a very dark, spooky house each night on the way home was filled with fear. He was offered help from some adults close to him. The first, gave him a good luck charm to ward off ghosts, he clutched it tightly in one hand and gripped insurmountable fear with the other. Another adult trying to help, had a bright light installed on the street near the corner of the house. He gazed towards the light while trembling with fright. The third adult, suggested “It is a sin to be afraid, Trust God and be brave”. While it was good advice, it certainly didn’t help his feet to move more steadily.
The last adult said, “I know what it’s like to be afraid. Take my hand and I will walk with you.” With that, the anxiety and despair melted away, and the little boy took the hand of his protector and boldly forged ahead with newfound confidence and assurance.
Strength and Courage seem to be easy words. How often do we say or hear, Hang in there, be strong – have courage? Words alone do not provide the confidence. It is only by total faith do we believe that we are not alone, that Jesus walks beside us holding our hand, leading us into the place of victory, that we are able to proceed with abandon. The path will not be easy. There is no assurance of ease on your journey…but you are promised that you are not going it alone. He walks before us, behind us, and beside us!
Through Christ, we have strength for every weakness and courage for every fear. Boldly, because he has promised that he will NEVER leave us nor forsake us, we can pray…
“Lord, I give these terrifying things over to you and ask that you lead me into this land of the unknown. Thank you for the promise that you will be with me always, even unto the ends of the earth. Thank you that you have a firm grip on my hand. Give me the strength and the courage to hold fast to yours”.
Take time this week to read (over and over again) Joshua 1:1-9. Take heart and take hold of his promise…”I WILL be with you wherever you go”!
Be strong and very courageous until you reach your home!
Maria
