Be strong and very courageous

“Only be thou strong and very courageous…” Joshua 1:7

As I thought of the challenges in our world today and the fact that many are discouraged and afraid of what the future holds, I recalled this timeless instruction delivered to a man that was faced with a formidable task.

God was speaking to Joshua, charging him with the responsibility to lead the people of Israel across the Jordan River into the land He had promised them. Moses had just passed on after bringing them out of Egypt through the wilderness and Joshua, his trusted assistant, knew the enormity of the task ahead of him. Yet God left him with a simple message; “be strong and very courageous”.

The task ahead of Joshua was one that could inspire fear in the heart of even the brave. He was meant to lead the takeover of a land inhabited by a people God had described as giants. Those giants surely wouldn’t vacate their place of domicile to some entitled folks without a fight. God therefore needed him to understand that the critical factor that would guarantee him victory was courage… Courage inspired by the knowledge that God was with him.

In the same vein, the events of our day paints a very gloomy picture. Inflation is on the rise, industries are shutting down, companies are laying off and employable youths are idle. Militants have overrun the nation, kidnappers are on the prowl, armed robbery is on the increase and the economy is in a mess.

One thing however is certain… if you give in to fear, you will be overcome by the many troubles that surround us. In the midst of all these, God is saying to you; “be strong and very courageous”. Don’t be overwhelmed by the challenges that lie ahead of you, don’t bow your head in defeat. Brace up, draw courage from the Word of God and face your day with boldness.

The greater one lives inside of you.