Be Strong Even In Weakness

Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua Was Encouraged By God While David Encouraged Himself In God:

Joshua was told, "be strong and very courageous."  Can you imagine that four times these words are repeated in the first chapter of Joshua?  Well, that can only mean one thing, Joshua may have been scared of something in that, he needed the encouragement. But if you think about it keenly, one might say, how strange because if anybody could be expected to show courage, it would have been Joshua. 

Keep in mind that during all this discouraged state, he was the youngest general in the Israelite army, which says it all right there. In fact, Joshua and Caleb were the only spies who came back with a positive report after their expedition to the Promised Land. While the other ten spies were full of fear and partly negative, Joshua and Caleb were full of faith and courage.

Unfortunately, fear seems to have caught up with Joshua. Yet it is not fear of man that bothers him. Neither is it fear of danger, or fear to enter into battle. Joshua is frightened by the enormous spiritual responsibility which rests upon his shoulders, to take the people of Israel to the Promised Land is not a small thing. Joshua saw first-hand the task of Moses' unforgettable leadership.

This responsibility no doubt intimidates Joshua, such a task possibly frightens him. That is why the Lord encourages him over and over again by telling him, "The Lord your God will be with you!"

With this knowledge then, no wall proves to be too high and no giant too strong.

Are you experiencing similar walls and giants in your life? Do you feel discouraged and weak like Joshua did? The Lord is saying to you today, "be strong and courageous, for I, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, even to the end of time."

But what about King David being discouraged a few times in his life?  Strength is certainly guaranteed! 

Prayer:  Any power that wants me to be discouraged, hear the word of the Lord, I am strong and courageous in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Be blessed.