Joshua

'Be Strong & Courageous'

This theme is repeated multiple times throughout the conquest of Canaan… often times to Joshua that he might lead the armies of Israel without fear into the battles that God is fighting for them. The reality that God is speaking over Israel is that they have absolutely nothing to be afraid of, for their confidence is in God himself. They have the God… the Faithful one, the One True God, the Almighty One… on their side. Who can stand against them if he is for them? God wants Israel, and Joshua especially as their leader, to realize that he is living and active in their lives to make sure that his promises come true for his people. This theme is a timeless truth that God is speaking into Israel as they fight to possess the land promised them… a truth that brings change to the way they view who God is, who they are, and their destiny among other peoples. Their bent was to fear man… and God says that he alone is to be feared… he is on their side fighting for them so they have nothing to worry about for man is utterly weak before the LORD God. As they indeed saw God’s hand of victory on their behalf they would have grown even more and more confident… uplifted by the reality that God fights for them. He proves to them time and time again that they truly do have nothing to fear… that they can dare to be strong and courageous because of his real presence in their lives.

Israel heard these words and still would have had a fear within them as they faced making conquest on the land. They would have thought back though to how they had been in the wilderness for forty years because of their disbelief in God’s provision. They were disciplined because they didn’t trust, because they feared man rather than being strong and courageous. This boldness is trust… it is stepping out in faith that God is real & true to his word for the sake of his people. Joshua saw this as he examined what happened to Israel and his mentor Moses… that there is nothing to fear when God fights for you. He would think back to the way God had delivered and provided for Israel with a mighty hand and realize that the confidence they have in the LORD their God is legitimate. He is not just blowing smoke up their butt, his promises aren’t faulty… he truly is fighting for them and will continue to show his steadfast love and faithfulness to them… for they are his people. Joshua would realize that God’s glory is on the line, and if there is one thing he understands about God, it’s that he will make sure that he receives all glory and honor and praise.

For today’s church the truth in this theme remains yet can always be lived in more. The church today has nothing to fear… for Christ has come and brought love and light and life. The Messiah, Jesus himself, has brought ultimate salvation and victory over our greatest enemy… sin and death itself. In Revelation 1.17&18 Jesus himself says, “Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” This is the reality… this is our Lord who fights for us. Be strong and courageous… yeah, what is there to be afraid of if we have been given victory over death. We will indeed go home with Jesus if we belong to him. Our confidence rests securely in his provision in our life. Paul writes later in Romans 8:31&37, “If God is for us, who can be against us?… in all these things we are more than conquerors through him(Jesus) who loved us.” This is the greater reality for us today… we have absolutely nothing to fear in Christ. On the contrary we ought to be bold and courageous, our confidence in Christ… who is utterly alive and active in our lives. Today’s church can choose to walk in fear… we can choose to not trust God… or we can walk boldly in God’s ways… seeking what he wants… knowing that we have a hope that does not and will not fail. Yeah, we have a confidence that knows no bounds… we are God’s children. As John said in 1 John 4:18, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” Christ’s love was perfect… he would have us be bold… he would have us dare to trust him… he would have us rest on the promise of eternal life that he has given. He would have us dare to see the world changed for his sake by relentlessly abandoning our fears and doubts that he would be glorified and exalted through our unashamed confidence and boldness.

(This picture is from a few summers ago but I love it... it makes me laugh, and yes, I am still that huge)