How can we apply "be strong and courageous" in our daily challenges? Setting the Scene Joshua stood on the edge of the Jordan, about to lead a nation into unknown territory. God’s words to him ring just as true for us: “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) The Heart of the Command • Strength and courage are not personality traits; they are acts of obedience to God’s clear directive. • The assurance behind the command is God’s unchanging presence—“wherever you go.” • Scripture’s reliability means this promise is as literal and binding today as it was for Joshua. Strength and Courage for Today’s Obstacles • Family pressures: parenting challenges, caring for aging parents, marital strains. • Workplace stress: deadlines, ethical dilemmas, job insecurity. • Cultural headwinds: standing for biblical truth amid opposition. • Personal battles: health issues, financial strain, lingering anxieties. • Spiritual warfare: temptation, doubt, spiritual apathy. Living It Out: Five Daily Practices 1. Start with God’s Word – Read or listen to a passage before any media intake. – Anchor on verses like Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power”. 2. Speak Truth Aloud – Replace fearful self-talk with Scripture: “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1). 3. Act in Small Steps of Obedience – Make the phone call, confess the sin, take the opportunity; courage grows with use (1 Corinthians 16:13). 4. Lean on the Body of Christ – Share burdens; let trusted believers remind you, “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you,’ ” (Hebrews 13:5-6). 5. Pray with Expectation – Stand on Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength”. Promises That Fuel Our Resolve • Deuteronomy 31:6—He “will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Isaiah 41:10—“Do not fear, for I am with you… I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • 2 Timothy 1:7—“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” • Hebrews 13:6—“The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.” Conclusion: Stepping Forward with Confidence Every challenge is an invitation to trust the God who still commands, “Be strong and courageous.” Because His Word is accurate, literal, and unfailing, we can advance into each day—families, workplaces, culture, and personal battles—confident that the Lord our God is with us wherever we go. |
    |