Strength and Courage

Joshua 1:9 has another memory verse meditation for us.
9 “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

This is the Lord encouraging to Joshua as he is about to take over the task that Moses left unfinished, namely the conquest of the promised land. No sweat, right? This group of wanderers, whose ancestors spent about 400 years in slavery in Egypt have had 40 years of literal wandering around in the desert. The good news is that they have melded into a single nation as they faced all types of tests. But their fighting skills may be a little deficient. I think they only fought one battle. (Exodus 17)

Notice God’s approach: “Haven’t I commanded you...” Yes, Joshua has not been without guidance. He saw the deliverance from Egypt and Pharaoh. He participated in the transit of the Red Sea. He went up on the Mountain with Moses. And, most importantly for this assignment, he had been the general in the Exodus 17 battle with Amalek. God had talked to him.

Now the message is reaffirmed. “...be strong and courageous.” That was buttressed with, “Do not be afraid.” There are over 360 “do not fear’s” or some variation of that phrase in the Bible. Adrian Rogers remarked it is like the Lord wanted us to have one for every day. Project idea: anybody want to write a book?

Notice the juxtaposition: “Strong and courageous. ...not afraid or discouraged.” S and C is better than A and D or dismayed. Let’s look again. Discouraged is not “couraged”, also lacking courage. When we encourage someone, we are adding courage to their arsenal. When we do not, we leave them discouraged, with a courage deficit.

The first couple is “strong...afraid.” As the opposite of courageous is discouraged, so the opposite of strong is fearful. Did you ever think that fear is caused by a lack of strength? It makes sense. When we have strength, we can be courageous. Not having strength leads to fear and discouragement.

The source of this strength is the Lord. That strength eliminates fear...wherever you go. Check out Psalm 27:1.
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

“Light and salvation” can certainly eliminate fear. And this light and salvation comes from the Lord. That strength eviscerates any enemy, including fear. David understood that.

He repeats it in a different way in Psalm 96:6
Honor and majesty are before him: strength and beauty are in his sanctuary. 

Honor and majesty are coupled with strength and beauty. We find that is the Sanctuary of His presence. Joshua was familiar with the Lord’s sanctuary and the strength to be derived from that. There is no record of his becoming discouraged or being afraid, like Elijah, David, and Job. E, D, and J overcame their flagging spirits. Daniel was another example of Joshua-faith with no doubts or discouragement. This prescription can help to avoid or escape when we fall prey to that. We can learn from the masters.

“Be strong and courageous.” That eliminates the need for fear and discouragement. “Don’t be afraid.”