Everyone wants to be strong and courageous. Hence, many quote, Joshua 1:9, “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.” But the key to actually being courageous is found by reading Joshua 1:9 in context.
I am on an Old Testament blitz right now: trying to read through the OT as fast as possible. I am not reading the Old Testament books in order. Rather, I am keeping track in Evernote of what I have read. I only started about a week ago, but I have blitzed through Ezra and Nehemiah (incredible books!) and Hosea and Micah as well as many Psalms and Proverbs.
Today I started Joshua and arrived at the Lord’s admonition to Joshua to be strong and courageous. While reading I noticed the emphasis of the surrounding context. Read the surrounding verses for yourself.
6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.
7 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.
8 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.
9 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.”
One doesn’t have to be a Hebrew scholar to understand that time in the Bible and courage go hand in hand. Meditate on the Word of God day and night!
Are you living in fear? If so, why not join me on the Old Testament blitz. I am flying through Joshua right now. Why not do the same?
Chris, thanks for your encouraging and inspriring messages.The Gideons base our ministry on Isiah 55:11 “So is my word that goes out from mouth: It will not return to me empty,but will accomplish what I desire.”
Thanks Bill!
I love those verses from Isaiah.
I looked down and saw “Bill Brauns” on my blog and thought maybe my dad was getting hi-tech. But I see it is cousin Bill Brauns.