Musing – Are We Expected to be “Strong and Courageous” like Joshua?

 

Hebraic Musing – Are We Expected to be “Strong and Courageous” like Joshua?

I’ve always found it fascinating that Moses and God told both Joshua eight times to be “Strong and Courageous.”  Maybe God is also speaking that to us today?

Might the challenges Joshua faced be comparable to the challenges our founding fathers took on by establishing a new land and governance with God’s blessing and support.  How “Strong and Courageous” were those men?  Shouldn’t we also be supporting our nation that was built and blessed by Almighty God to preserve a people to serve as examples to all the other Nations?  Although we are living in uncertain days, we need to keep trusting in Our Lord.  Do any of these commands and promises to Joshua apply to us Christians today?

In one of Moses’ final messages to the people, he commanded them to - “Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.  Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  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.” Joshua 1:6-9 NIV    Note that we, His Children, are warned not to “turn to the right or left” just because the world around us has.  And what does it mean to “not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth”? 
What should we be doing with our mouth?  And BTW, did you hear the prosperity message in His Word?

And when Moses passed the leadership mantle to Joshua he said first to the people -
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Deut. 31:6-8 NIV    
Did the LORD give similar blessings and counsel to our Founding Fathers in 1776?  What does the LORD expect from His Children today? 

Will we meet opposition if we speak out for the LORD? 
Moses anticipated opposition.  “Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:18 
Moses, speaking for the LORD, told us what should happen to those who oppose our Word!  Should we let fear keep us from standing our ground?  What’s the worst that can happen to us?  And then what happens?

Later, Joshua had to encourage his own commanders with this.   “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Then Joshua struck and killed the kings and hung them on five trees, and...” Joshua 10:25-26  How does that apply today? 

Another of many examples – David told his son Solomon to “Be strong and courageous” in 1 Chronicles 28:20.

Points to ponder

Why did God Bless America?   

How “Strong and Courageous” are we going to be?

Do the commands from Moses to Joshua (and the LORD to David) apply to us today?

Your life is not about you. You’re not in control.  Let’s just “Be strong and courageous”!

We are currently studying the “Battle of the Ages” in our Men’s Ministry.

♫ Be bold, be strong, For the Lord your God is with thee, Do not be afraid, Do not be dismayed,
     We’re walking in faith and victory, For the Lord, our God, is with thee...  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                     November 1, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”    InsightsByYosef.blogspot.com

Note – Inspired by & excerpted from Johanna Hocker’s “The Biblical Admonition: Be strong and courageous!”