BRAVE in the Bible: Joshua
When I asked for recommendations on BRAVE this year, Jani, one of our encouragers, reminded me of Joshua, saying it is the Bible book that comes to her mind when considering the word. What exactly does the book of Joshua say about bravery? We will only consider the first chapter, but I may reserve the right to bring it up again 😊
Background
Moses had just died, and Joshua was taking up the mantle to lead the Israelite people into the promised land. Joshua was one of two men who were permitted to enter the land after the disbelief of the groups before. Joshua believed in God, he believed God and was rewarded with long life and leadership. (Some of us would say that leadership was not necessarily a reward, but a chore! Continue reading to see why it was a reward!)
God’s Word for Joshua
God began by saying they must prepare to cross the Jordan and go into the land that God promised them. Then he said to Joshua,
No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
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 the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; 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. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:5-9)
Even the Israelite people tell Joshua, ‘Only be strong and courageous!’ in verse 1:18.
I find there are four keys from this passage that make for a BRAVE Joshua:
God will be with him, never forsake him or leave him;
His job is to do what God said (take the land that God promised);
He should obey God, and
Keep the law and meditate on it.
Joshua was setting out to do a number of things that he had not done before, but what he was doing was carrying out the will of God, with God. He needed to carry out the will of God in his daily life, through obedience to God’s law. He needed to carry out the will of God for a long-term future of his people, Israel by leading them into the land. These are simple things to do on paper, but they are fraught with hidden tripwires, hence courage was needed.
Joshua’s work, in some ways, was not very different from my work. God is with me all my days, as he was with Joshua. I am carrying out the work of God, doing what he says to me through the Spirit and the desires he has put in my heart. And lastly, I too shall obey God in my daily life and work to contribute to some greater purpose.
Be strong and Courageous
I am doing plenty that I have never done before, gaining in momentum and understanding of the work as I go. Having fear, but recalling that I need not fear for God is with me. I hear these words very much for myself right now. Feeling excitement, but knowing that the preparations must be made and obedience a standard of my life for the success of purpose to come.
‘Be strong and courageous,’ it says. Strong is there along with the courage. My strength only comes from God. He sends encouragement through my family and friends, and supporters of this work. I am certain it takes strength along with courage to do as God wills. He pushes us beyond our comfort zones. With God’s help I am ready!
