Are You a Joshua?

"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7 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. 8 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. 9 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).

Three times in as many verses, God tells Joshua to “be strong and courageous”. Why did God say this to him? First, I believe it was because Joshua was stepping up into a leadership role that he had not yet attained. The children of Israel were used to Moses being their intermediary between themselves and God. Joshua, though being on the scene from the beginning, was now charged to step up to a new position that he had little experience in. Perhaps this year God will raise you and I up to step into leadership positions that we have little experience in. As we take our steps of faith, we can trust God will give us strength and courage. One of the speakers at the Pastor’s Conference said that ‘faith is stepping into the dark, onto a Rock’. That Rock is Jesus, and if He is calling you to step up and step out, trust Him!

Secondly, God tells Joshua not to be terrified because he was about to lead the people into uncharted territory, into the land of Canaan. It can be exciting as a follower to watch those you lead navigate new waters and unmapped lands, but as a leader, it can be quite daunting! Joshua didn’t know what the next steps held, but he knew what God had commanded him, and God said, “do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth”. We are told in Psalms 119:105, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Whenever we set our feet into the Jordan, we can allow God’s word to light our path, as long as we are careful not to turn to the right or to the left. This year God might direct your family into a new ministry or new opportunity, new relationships and friendships, maybe a new job or witnessing moment. Allow His Word to direct your path and lead you safely into the land of promise.

Finally, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because he was probably prone to fear! How often do we struggle with fear and insecurity when it comes to our relationship to God? 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” His love and presence can dispel our fears. God tells Joshua not to be discouraged, because He would be with him wherever he went. We have been told the same words by Jesus, at the Great Commission: And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:20). If you are afraid, you find yourself in the company of Abram, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Gideon, the disciples, and Joshua, and God did amazing things through those men, so trust He is with you and will strengthen and use you for His glory.

The fact that you saw the title, started reading (and are still reading!) this article shows you desire to be a ‘Joshua’. What does that mean? It implies that there may be a sense of fear and fright, of anxiety and apprehension as you walk where God has called you to walk. But God tells you to trust Him, lay down your worries, and be strong and courageous, no matter what lions you may face in a pit on a snowy day this year!

-Pilgrim