Be Strong and Courageous.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
Hey y’all! It’s your girl Julie, and we’re back with another segment of “Salty & Lit.” In today’s installment, we’re going to be talking about being courageous. Let’s pray.
Father, You command us to be strong and courageous. Help us to be strong in You alone. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
There used to be this show called “Are You Afraid of the Dark,” a show that recounted scary stories. While I haven’t watched it, I do recall the eeriness I would see when the commercial played. It felt like a scary scene, and you had to be strong in order to be able to watch the show. Yet while this is in the context of scary shows, the verse that I mentioned above applies to every area of our lives: we are called to be strong and courageous, but what does it mean to be strong and courageous?
According to the Bible Dictionary on BibleHub.com, looking at the context of Joshua 1:9, strong means to be “firm or confident,” and courageous means to “have [an] inner fortitude granted or commanded by God and then expressed in decisive action.” It’s important to use BibleHub at times because it gives the definition of the word in context. While the English dictionary says one word, the Bible in its language of Hebrew, Aramaic, or Koine Greek might use words that mean something entirely different, so it’s important to see what word is being used in the specific context. I also like using Merriam-Webster, where it defines strong as “having or marked by great physical power” and courageous as“mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty.”
To provide context for this verse, Joshua is called and prepared by God to take over after Moses and lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. God tells Joshua numerous times in chapter 1 alone to be strong and courageous, and the thing that I want to highlight is that 1. it’s a mindset that Joshua has to take on. It’s a mental fortitude, meaning he needs to have a mental strength to bear things no matter the circumstance. It’s not something he can do in his own strength: He has to rely on God, but there must be a decision on his end to be strong and courageous.
Relating it back to us, sometimes it’s easy to feel as though we’re weak, but one thing we can learn from Joshua is that even in tough moments, he recognizes who is on his side. For example, years prior, Joshua and Caleb were the only ones who said the Israelites were capable of taking over the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) because God would be with them, and it’s that same principle that allowed him to enter the Promised Land: because He trusted God. Since he trusted God, Joshua’s plan will be successful because it’s really God’s plan that he is following. In the verse prior, God gives Joshua the key on how to be successful: God says do not let the book of the Law depart from his (Joshua’s) mouth and to meditate on it day and night. If he (Joshua) does that, he will be successful. What that means is departing from God’s law would cause failure in his life.
What does that mean for us? In your everyday life, are you taking a decision to meditate on God’s Word and apply it to your life? Are you being strong and courageous like God commanded Joshua? The Lord calls you to be strong and courageous, and it’s up to you to decide whether or not to do that, but how can you do that? Trust in His Word. Trust what He says about you, and you move accordingly.
It’s time to stop being scared of what the Lord has called you to do. He’s called you and me to be strong and courageous, so be strong and courageous. Have a mental fortitude and know that God is with you. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, You are God. Thank You for teaching us that mindset matters. Help us to trust that You know what’s best, and You call us to be strong and courageous. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Well, that’s all I have for today! Don’t forget you are loved, salty, and lit! Talk to you soon! 🧡
