Strong and Courageous
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” -- Joshua 1:9
In Joshua 1, after the death of Moses, God spoke to Joshua and told him to rise up, take the people with him and cross over into the land which was promised. Joshua was referred to in the chapter as Moses’s assistant, who would have been his understudy to succeed him after his death. After Moses died, the people stopped ahead of the Jordan to mourn and process their grief and loss. Grief is associated with very difficult emotions including anger, denial and some feelings of depression. God gave the people time to grieve and to go through the emotions associated with losing Moses. He acknowledged in His instructions to Joshua, “Moses my servant is dead.” He was letting Joshua know that Moses was as dear to Him as the people, but at the same time, Joshua and the people needed to face the reality that he wasn’t coming back and move forward. Although Joshua assisted Moses, I am not sure if anyone imagined that they would have to enter the promised land without him.
“Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses” (Joshua 1:3). Despite the people’s rebellion, they would have gotten used to having Moses leading them. He came to their defense in Egypt, spoke to Pharaoh on their behalf, commanded the plagues and supported them in the wilderness for 40 years. Of significance is the fact that Joshua and Caleb were at this place before. They were two of the spies in Numbers 13, who went to see the promised land. While Joshua and Caleb brought back a good report to the people, the majority of the spies (10) brought back an evil report. This report produced fear and chaos in the people who vowed to assign a new leader, stone Moses, Joshua and Caleb and return to Egypt. This delayed the entrance of the entire tribe into Canaan and one entire generation died in the wilderness, except for Joshua and Caleb. It’s possible that in addition to Joshua’s grief over Moses’s death, he may have had some flashbacks from their previous failed expedition.
God reminded Joshua of his promise and covenant to the people. All of the land from the wilderness to the great sea belonged to them. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). He wanted Joshua to know that his presence would be as tangible with him as it was with Moses. Joshua was encouraged to be strong and courageous as he went in to possess the land. He was reminded to keep the laws given to Moses and he would have success. He was commanded to meditate on the law daily so that he would be prosperous. Joshua is reminded again to be strong and courageous. He did not need to be afraid because God would go with him wherever he went. Joshua sent word through the camp for the people to prepare themselves, as they would cross over in three days. Joshua also encouraged the people to be strong and of good courage.
The people responded well to Joshua and committed to follow his commands in the same way they followed Moses. Joshua also sent men to spy out the land and they met Rahab the prostitute, who hid them when the king sent men to search for them. “and said to the men: “I know that the Lord has given you the land, that the terror of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land are fainthearted because of you” (Joshua 2:9). The reputation of the Israelites went ahead of them to Jericho and the people were afraid when they heard how the Lord was with them. The words from Rahab strengthened the men and their report strengthened Joshua and the people as they crossed the Jordan to take possession of Jericho. Stepping out into unfamiliar territory can be daunting and taking on new challenges can produce some fear and anxiety. We will succeed when God is with us and when we listen and obey his voice. Grief and loss are particularly difficult seasons to overcome and it can be hard to move forward after a loss. God is with us in our sorrow and he never leaves us or forsakes. Once we learn how to listen to Him, stay in His presence and trust Him to lead and guide us, we will have good success. “Fear not, you worm Jacob, You men of Israel! I will help you,” says the Lord And your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel” (Isaiah 41:14).
Questions for Reflection:
1. What are some useful promises to consider in the Word of God when dealing with grief and loss?
2. What are some useful strategies or biblical promises that help us to overcome fear?
3. Are there areas in your life where fear has stopped you from making progress? How can you use the word to overcome those fears?
