The Key to Joshua’s Courage and Ours

Michael Edwards

"I will not leave you or forsake you. 

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 

Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. 

For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

Have I not commanded you? 

Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:6-9 ESV

Many believe that Joshua was plagued with fear because God had to tell him seven times to not fear and to be strong and courageous.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. 

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 ESV

For me, if I am overcome by a tormenting fear, someone simply saying be strong and courageous, does not do a lot. 

Even quoting Joshua 1:9 at those moments, often has little effect, unless we grasp the key truth God in the verse. 

He did not need to fear specifically because “the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

That is the key to Joshua's courage and ours. 

He believed God’s promise that He would be with him at all times. 

As a follower of Christ, we have the same promise throughout the Old and New Testaments. 

Jesus will never leave us or forsake us. 

This is why God tells us 366 times, in various ways, we need not fear.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isa 41:10 ESV

Meditate deeply on this truth - “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Heb 13:5b

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