Be Strong And Of Good Courage

-March 7, 2022-

Good morning, happy Monday,

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9).

It was God’s will for Joshua to be the new leader of Israel after Moses’ death and to lead the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua was called and equipped by God for this huge undertaking. Moses had already told him what he was to do and commissioned him. It was now his time. This portion in Joshua 1:1-9 is God’s commission to Joshua. It is both challenging and encouraging.

Three times God told Joshua to be strong and of good courage: “Be strong and of good courage.” (v.6); Only be strong and very courageous.” (v.7); and “Be strong and of good courage (v.9). Whenever in Scripture God says something, it is important; if He repeats it a second time, it is very important; and if He repeats it a third time, is it extremely important. Whenever God tells us to be strong and of good courage, He tells us why. In today’s text it is no different. He knows by nature we are very fearful people.

God tells Joshua that every place his foot treads upon is given to him, no one will be able to stand before him, as He was with Moses, He will be with him, and that He is with him wherever he goes. He instructs him to obey all the law that Moses gave him, to meditate in it day and night, and not to turn to the right hand or to the left. If he does these three things, he will prosper and have good successes. God’s instructions are always clear to His servants. Joshua is not be afraid or dismayed.

• Obey the Word of God – We can only be blessed and prospered if we obey the Lord. He has given us both many commandments and many promises. The Psalmist said in Psalm 119:9-10, “How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to your word. With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” God always blesses the obedient, but never blesses the disobedient.

• Meditate on the Word day and night – It is not enough just to read the Word, we must meditate in it day and night. We need to think it through and apply it to our lives. Paul gave a similar admonition to his protégé Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:15, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.” God does not change and neither do His principles. They always work.

• Do not turn to the right hand or to the left – This expression is found over and over in the Bible. It means to walk straight forward in the perfect will of God. We can’t veer off course, get distracted, or do our own will. Proverbs 4:27 says, “Do not turn to the right or left; Remove your foot from evil.” When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we won’t be swayed or strayed by the things of this world.

May the Lord help us to be strong and of good courage no matter what we face today. All around is trouble, but the Lord is with us to prosper us and give us good success. We must fully rely on the Lord who is always with us. Let’s obey the Word, meditate in it, and not turn to the right hand or the left.

Have a blessed day with the Lord. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean