How does Deuteronomy 7:17 connect with God's promises in Joshua 1:9? Setting the Scene “You may say in your heart, ‘These nations are greater than we are; how can we drive them out?’” “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.” Common Thread: A Heart Struggling with Fear • Both verses address the same inner battle—fear that God’s people feel when faced with enemies larger than themselves. • Deuteronomy records Israel’s first reaction before entering Canaan; Joshua repeats God’s instruction as they finally step into conquest. Deuteronomy 7:17—God Anticipates Our Doubts • The verse captures an honest, human question: “How can we?” • God does not scold the question; He follows it (v. 18) with a call to remember His past victories—Exodus 14, the plagues, the Red Sea. • Memory of deliverance is presented as the antidote to future fear. Joshua 1:9—God Answers Doubt with His Presence • Forty years later, He gives the same reassurance: “Be strong and courageous.” • The command is backed by promise: “the LORD your God is with you.” • Courage is not self-generated; it is anchored in God’s unchanging presence. Connecting the Two 1. Question vs. Command – Deuteronomy 7:17 exposes the question; Joshua 1:9 issues the answer. 2. Past Promise vs. Present Reality – Deuteronomy looks back at what God has done; Joshua looks forward, trusting the same God will act again. 3. Fear vs. Faith – Both passages treat fear as a choice influenced by remembering God’s works and believing His presence. Supporting Passages • Exodus 14:13-14—“Do not be afraid…The LORD will fight for you.” • Psalm 27:1—“The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” • Romans 8:31—“If God is for us, who can be against us?” Living It Out Today • When challenges loom large, identify the “these nations” in your life. • Recall concrete ways God has delivered you before; journal them as memorial stones (Joshua 4:5-7). • Replace self-focused “How can I?” with God-focused “He is with me.” • Speak Joshua 1:9 aloud until it reshapes the heart-response exposed in Deuteronomy 7:17. Takeaway The fear voiced in Deuteronomy 7:17 finds its cure in the promise of Joshua 1:9: because the same covenant-keeping God who conquered Egypt now walks with His people, they—and we—can move forward in unwavering courage. |
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