Be Strong and Courageous

Joshua 1:1-9

"No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.... 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." (v. 5, 9)

There are many opportunities that come and go in our lives. There are many times we know that God commands us to take certain actions. Many times it is to step out and speak His truth and the love He has to offer to those who do not know Him. Often times He wants us to surrender our desires and to follow after Him. "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Matthew 16:24)."

Unfortunately, often times we are either afraid or be discouraged with the situation. We are afraid that we may look foolish, rejected, or that harm would come our way. We may be discouraged because things may not go according to our expectations and/or the current situation seems to have many things going wrong.

Although these feelings will exist, we are focusing on the wrong things and thus allowing such feelings dictate our attitudes and actions. This is clear in the question that is asked by God, "have I not commanded you?" Our focus should not be the result or the events and/or circumstance that we are in. If we are truly to have faith in God, then we are to focus on Him and His goodness. We accepted His gift because of His grace and love. We became His sons and daughters because of our faith in Him. If His agape (unconditional) love is the foundation to our faith, then we must realize that in all circumstances our Father will take care of us. Much like parents can see the bigger picture and guide their growing children (who may not understand at the time and circumstance), so does our omniscient (all knowing) Father takes care of us. He guides us in directions we may not understand, but if we put our faith in Him then we should not have any fears or be discouraged. So let us focus on Him, and "be strong and courageous" as we follow Him.