"Be Strong and of Good Courage"

Joshua took over as the leader of Israel after Moses' death. He was a good man and led his people into battle to conquer the land God had promised them. But before he did that, Jehovah gave Joshua some instructions, recorded in chapter 1 of Joshua. I find it interesting that the Lord told his new captain four times: "be strong and of good courage" (vs. 6, 7, 9, and 18).

But it's also noteworthy, I think, to consider in what Joshua was to have this strength and courage. Verse 7: "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do all the law, which Moses my servant commanded..." One would think that the Lord, given the military endeavors Joshua faced, would encourage him to strength and courage in the battles to come. But, no--the strength and courage needed was to be obedient to the will of God. And verse 8 concludes, "for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Prosperity and success--military victory in this case--follow obedience to divine dictates.

We live in a degenerative world today, folks. Our enemies are spiritual, not physical (Ephesians 6:12). If we are going to be obedient in the midst of this wicked and untoward generation, like Joshua we will need to "be strong and of good courage." The Lord expects--demands--that, and spiritual prosperity will not follow unless we do. Joshua did it, and we can, too.