Joshua… what a guy he was. At the start of the book named after him we find that Moses has died and Joshua is now the point man. A huge nation on his shoulders, and as a young leader/army commander he is obviously aware of the huge task that lies before him. He would have to lead the Israelite people into the land of promise. This was no small thing. This was the dream they had been dreaming off way back from the time of Abraham. Joshua must have been scared, apprehensive, fearful and a lot more.

Then God speaks. God comes to him and tells him to be strong and courageous, and that God Himself would be with Joshua and that Joshua need not fear. What a promise to hold on to as a new leader. But we (in churches and study groups) often misquote what God actually told Joshua in that very first chapter. While it is true that God told him to be strong and courageous, the context tells us that god instructs Him to be strong and courageous – IN OBEYING ALL THAT GOD HAD COMMANDED HIM TO DO. We often see those two as separate commands. To be strong and courageous and to also obey all that God commands. But God instructs Joshua to be strong and courageous, in the context of obedience.

Canaan was a land of giant sized problems, literally speaking. If Joshua and his nation were going to be successful in taking the land they were gonna have to obey God at all costs, and when things seemed to make sense and the battle seem pointless… hey Joshua be strong and courageous to obey for The Lord is with you.

In your life and mine, it isn’t enough to just be strong and courageous. It is important to be strong and courageous in the context of obedience. Because when we are walking in obedience we can be sure God goes before us and strengthens us to fight the battles we face. To obey we need to study the word so we know what God has commanded us to do. So my family – let us be faithful in study and then strong and courageous in obedience.

God bless.

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