Are You Strong and Courageous?

O. T. #438  "Are You Strong and Courageous?
January 13, 2015
Joshua 1-Part 3
Be strong and of a good courage... Joshua 1:6a
Only be thou strong and very courageous... Joshua 1:7a
...Be strong and of a good courage... Joshua 1:9

LET IT GLOW

*Something is wrong with the engine where I write this, so no emphases will be seen today, sorry.

Are you strong or weak, fearful or courageous? My help is going to come from the Lord, because I lack strength and courage when it come to facing my surgeries. But, doesn't He want us to depend upon Him for our needs? Isn't His strength made perfect in my weakness, according to 2 Corinthians 12:9? I wonder if Joshua was just a smidgen bit afraid. Why else did god keep telling him to be courageous?

In verse 5, we read of the promises of God's divine power and presence made to Joshua for his tasks ahead.
   *God reassured Joshua that as He was with Moses, so God would be with Joshua.
   *God would not fail Joshua. FAIL means to slacken, fall, faint, feeble, weak.
   *God would not forsake Joshua. FORSAKE means to loosen, relinquish, leave (destitute), refuse.

God would not relax His divine enablement now that Moses was dead.  (Falwell)

We have the same assurances that God will not leave us nor forsake us, as found in Hebrews 13:5. When we begin to walk in God's will, we have the continual help when we ask, God is on our side, so others can't keep us from accomplishing our assignment.

Are we in the middle of God's assignment for us?

LET IT GROW

How was Joshua supposed to act and react? What was the strategy for prosperity for Israel?
1. Be STRONG, which means stout, withstand, confirm.
2. Be of good COURAGE and very COURAGEOUS, which uses the same Hebrew word, meaning to be alert
    physically (on foot) or steadfastly minded, establish, increase, strengthen (self), make strong (speed). This
    indicates that God is interested in the spiritual character and physical actions of His servants.
3. Observe to do according to all the law Moses gave.
4. Turn not from it to the right or to the left.
5. Meditate on it day and night.

The task ahead would not be easy, so Joshua needed to be strong and courageous. He was to constantly read and study the Book of Instruction.

Personal courage and complete obedience to God's will are always two of the main ingredients in success for the believer. (Falwell)

To be successful, follow God's words to Joshua. You may not succeed by the world's standards, but you will be a success in God's eyes-and His opinion is most important.  Obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step we can take. (Life's Application Study Bible)

Rick Warren says, "Meditate on who God is, what He has done, and what He has said."

Lysa TerKeurst said, "Strength and courage come from keeping God's Word close. It has to be front and center. We have to be thinking about it, be able to quote it. Refuse to let fear and discouragement hold us back; for wherever we go, God will be with us."

Are we willing to do those things? That is the question.
What is the strong and courageous thing we are supposed to do or be doing?
Jesus gave His servants the same promise found in Matthew 28:19-20 and John 20:21-23.

LET IT GO

Trust God to not fail me nor leave me.

Meditate on His Word.

Be strong in faith and courageous to obey God.