Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage: be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest (Joshua 1:9).
Joshua must have been a timid man by nature, but we picture him as a strong, brave general as we see him with his foot on the neck of heathen kings and leading the armies of Israel to victory over mighty multitudes of the enemy. These instructions from the Lord urged him again and again to be strong and of good courage--"be not afraid, be not discouraged!" Why was this? Joshua was timid, but God knew that he would be a great leader if only he had courage. Timid people make good leaders if their faith is strong. They know their own weakness and realize that all their strength and courage and fearlessness must come from God.
So it was with Joshua. Had he shown fear and dismay before the mighty armies that outnumbered Israel, the whole army would have fallen into panic. Leaders must lead. So the Lord gave this great promise: "For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." This brought Joshua the courage he needed. The very next verses say: "Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it."
The Lord's promise to be with Joshua filled him with fearless zeal to go forward, the spirit of advance and victory. Before the cities "walled up to heaven," before the great warriors, before vast hosts like the sand of the sea, he knew that the Lord his God was with him; and that was victory.
When we go on God's orders, we have God's presence.
MEDITATION PRAYERS: "Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me" (Ps. 18:39).
Joshua must have been a timid man by nature, but we picture him as a strong, brave general as we see him with his foot on the neck of heathen kings and leading the armies of Israel to victory over mighty multitudes of the enemy. These instructions from the Lord urged him again and again to be strong and of good courage--"be not afraid, be not discouraged!" Why was this? Joshua was timid, but God knew that he would be a great leader if only he had courage. Timid people make good leaders if their faith is strong. They know their own weakness and realize that all their strength and courage and fearlessness must come from God.
So it was with Joshua. Had he shown fear and dismay before the mighty armies that outnumbered Israel, the whole army would have fallen into panic. Leaders must lead. So the Lord gave this great promise: "For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." This brought Joshua the courage he needed. The very next verses say: "Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it."
The Lord's promise to be with Joshua filled him with fearless zeal to go forward, the spirit of advance and victory. Before the cities "walled up to heaven," before the great warriors, before vast hosts like the sand of the sea, he knew that the Lord his God was with him; and that was victory.
When we go on God's orders, we have God's presence.
MEDITATION PRAYERS: "Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me" (Ps. 18:39).
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