To obey God requires courage. It is the firmness of spirit that could face crises without retreating.
Joshua led the nation into the Promised Land. God spoke to him three times, telling him to be strong and courageous.
Joshua responded affirmatively and built his bravery on two precious assurances.
God travels with us.
The Lord pledged He would be with the Israelites in the new land, never leaving or forsaking them. In Hebrews 13:5,He makes the same promise to us. In fact, the Lord travels with us in a far more intimate way—through His Spirit living within us.
God goes before us.
God promised to take care of the enemy before the Israelites arrived. They still faced battles, but He assured them of victory if they had faith and obeyed. Jesus has gone ahead of us to heaven with the spiritual battle already won.
Our redemption has been secured, our place in God’s family permanently established, and our heavenly inheritance guaranteed. While our earthly trials continue, they are temporary.
Joshua 1:1-9(0488 31 I 08)
The LORD Commands Joshua
After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 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. "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."