Beginning in June, I will begin a series of messages at Community from the book of Joshua. In preparation for that series, I have begun reading Joshua and reflecting upon it personally. Each Monday, I will share a thought from the sixth book of the Old Testament, and suggest some readings for the rest of the week. The first one is from Joshua chapter one.
The book of Joshua is about the people of Israel inhabiting the land that God had promised them upon their release from slavery from Egypt. Moses had just died and God placed Joshua as leader of Israel. Because of Israel's lack of faith and disobedience, a generation of people had to die off before God gave them permission to enter "The Promised Land" and it was now time. Only two men from the first generation were allowed to enter the land, Joshua and Caleb. They were the only two of the twelve spies, in the book of Numbers, who had faith that God could deliver the land to them. They were not only men of faith, but men of courage.
It should not be suprising to us then that four times in chapter one (verses 6, 7, 9, and 16) Joshua tells the people of Israel to "be strong and courageous." Joshua reminds this new generation that God will provide what he promised and when given the plan for possessing the land the people responded, "All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go (1:16)."
Joshua could encourage the people to be "strong and courageous," because he was strong and courageous. He had built up enough "leadership capital" that when the time for action came, the people believed in their leader. Joshua had proven to be a man of great faith, and this encouraged the people in their faith.
I once heard that "courage is not the absence of fear, but action in the presence of fear." Perhaps you are facing a major decision or action this week that requires a great deal of courage on your part. Maybe you are fearful of making a wrong choice and you are tempted to not do anything. The reason we are talking about Joshua today, 3,000 years removed from his death, is because he was a man of courage who found his strength in the Lord. If you are crippled by your fear, turn it over to God, and be empowered by God's strength. He has enough for all of us!
Suggested Reading:
*Numbers Chapters 13 & 14
*Joshua Chapter 1
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