"Be Courageous"

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

 

 

"Be courageous".  When the Lord gave this word to Joshua, he was getting ready to take the Israelites into the land of Canaan.  They had wondered around in the wilderness for forty years. Now they were making the transition from wilderness, with no permanent housing, no crops to tend, dependency on the Lord for even their daily food, they had no battle training, no commerce, etc., into their own land, cities and homes.  They were now on the threshold of a new season and new place in their lives. 

 

When faced with the new, when leaving the old, when moving forward from the familiar to the unknown, when having to get out of your comfort zone, when you are leaving one place and going to a place you have never been before, when faced with uncertainties, and in their case faced with giants, how can you be courageous?  How can you face it without fear? 

 

The answer lies not within ourselves but it lies within the fact that "for the Lord thy God will be with you wherever you go".  Your courage doesn't come from your own self.  It doesn't come from your strength or ability.  It doesn't come through some seer force of will. It doesn't come from mustering up the courageous.  We can't pick ourselves up by the "boot straps" and gain courage.  We can't talk ourselves into courage.  We can't "visualize" or "think enough positive thoughts" to aquire that much courage.  Our courage comes from the presence of the Lord.  It is His courage that is imparted to us.  It is His strength that is made perfect in our weakness.  It is His strong right arm that we lean on.

 

Are you facing a situation that involves courage?  Courage as a single parent to provide and take care of your children?  Courage to sit beside the bed of a loved one who is dying?  Courage to go on with life after losing a spouse?  Courage to go to another job interview, especially after being turned down time and time again?  Courage to face a conflict in your home?  Courage to step out into the ministry the Lord has called you to?  Whatever you are facing-- be courageous.  Be strong.  You can do it because the Lord has promised to be with you.  His presence will give you all the courage you need.

 

Have a great day.  Be courageous.  The Lord is with you and will impart His courage into you.