Exhortation

"Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 (Amplified)

        Makes me wonder how many people really buy into this line of thinking, especially in these times? Joshua was really delving into the unknown. A man who was a faithful lieutenant of Moses for years, now is thrust into a position as Captain over the millions of Israeli refugees looking for a home. A daunting task at best. God's pep talk to Joshua didn't pull any punches but reminded him (Joshua) of the word of God. (as an aside, I was thinking of how curious it is when you go back to the word you will find the answer to all your problems. Very Interesting indeed, but I digress)

         God didn't tell him to be tepid or afraid... No. He told him to be strong, vigorous, and courageous. Strong, because he will need to have a thick skin to deal with wishy washy people. Vigorous, because there will be tasks ahead that will require him to not relent. Courageous, because there will be times where the impossible (in our mind) will surface and he will need to have the courage to persist in trusting God. All these characteristics would be powerful assets if and only if He understood that the Lord was with Him. Just as He was with Moses.

         You know come to think of it, God's exhortation hasn't changed a bit. The promises in His word are still true even for us today, and the challenges that we meet, though they do not have the scope of Joshua's challenges, the solutions to them are still the same. God is telling you today you need to be strong, vigorous, and courageous, but don't for one second hold back or be in despair...because He is with you. What amazing comfort that truth provides.