How can we apply "be strong and courageous" in our daily lives? The Call to Courage: Joshua 1:9 “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) Why These Words Still Matter • Spoken to Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel into the Promised Land—unknown territory, fortified cities, hostile armies. • God repeats the charge (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9), underscoring that strength and courage are not optional extras; they are commanded. • The promise of God’s presence (“with you wherever you go”) is the ground of the command. It has never been revoked (Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5-6). What “Strong” and “Courageous” Mean • Strong (ḥāzaq): fortified, resolute, firmly fixed—like a beam that will not snap under weight. • Courageous (’āmăṣ): bold, unflinching, ready to act despite fear. • Both words assume pressure and danger; God does not pretend challenges are absent. Daily Obstacles That Demand Strength and Courage • Temptations that appeal to the flesh (1 Corinthians 10:13). • Cultural pressures to compromise Biblical convictions (Romans 12:2). • Personal trials—illness, loss, relational conflict (Psalm 34:19). • Spiritual opposition from the enemy (Ephesians 6:11-12). Practical Ways to Apply “Be Strong and Courageous” 1. Anchor Your Mind in God’s Word • Daily meditation strengthens spiritual “muscle” (Psalm 1:2-3). • Speak Scripture aloud when fear whispers—Jesus did this in the wilderness (Matthew 4:4-10). 2. Recall God’s Proven Faithfulness • Keep a written record of answered prayers and past deliverances (Psalm 77:11-12). • Reviewing God’s track record fuels present courage. 3. Obey Promptly, Even When Feeling Weak • Strength often follows the first step of obedience (John 2:5). • Like Peter stepping out of the boat (Matthew 14:29), courage grows in motion. 4. Lean on the Indwelling Spirit • “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” (Zechariah 4:6). • Pray for fresh filling (Ephesians 5:18) and rely on His enabling, not self-effort. 5. Stand Shoulder-to-Shoulder with Believers • Courage is contagious (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Share victories and struggles; let iron sharpen iron (Proverbs 27:17). 6. Fix Your Eyes on the Greater Joshua—Jesus • He faced the cross “for the joy set before Him” (Hebrews 12:2). • Because He overcame, we can overcome (John 16:33). Strengthened for Every Sphere • Home: Lead your family in truth and love, resisting passivity (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). • Work: Maintain integrity when shortcuts beckon (Colossians 3:23-24). • Community: Speak the gospel with gentleness and conviction (1 Peter 3:15). • Private Thought Life: Capture fearful or sinful thoughts and make them obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). A Closing Reminder “Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13) The command resounds across Scripture. Strength and courage are not self-generated; they flow from the unchanging presence of the LORD, who walks with His people into every unknown tomorrow. |
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