Strong and Courageous
By Dean Collins
The video of McDonalds’ CEO taking a “big bite” of Big Arch backfired on him after the video the company posted showed that in reality he took just a nibble of the sandwich and may have missed the burger in its entirety! While I will only be giving you a bite of the opening and ending chapters, I encourage you to read the entire book of Joshua to see the big picture. Today I am only going to point out a couple of things we learn from Joshua that are found in the “bun” of chapter 1 and chapter 24.
Joshua is known for many things in both the wilderness wanderings and in the book that bears his name. He is brave, loyal, faithful to God, courageous in his leadership, and clear in his instructions to Israel as they move into the land that God promised. His two most quoted lines occur in the first and last chapters of the book that bears his name.
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
“Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
These verses speak to us as well, reminding us that in whatever we are facing, we can do so without fear or discouragement because the Lord will be with us all the way through the battles.
But like the children of Israel, to face our battles in life and be steadfast in our commitment to spread the good news of the gospel requires the same thing that Joshua told the Israelites.
First, it requires us to make a choice. Will we serve and love God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, or will we allow various idols to cause us to waiver? Will family, wealth, pleasure, power, or status become idols for us? Joshua warned the Israelites of these temptations. He had lived with them and seen how easily and quickly we can waiver.
Second, it will take commitment to walk in the ways of the Lord and choose life through Christ, which corresponds to choosing death to self and to sin.
And finally, it will take courage to trust that no matter the temptation or the giants we face, that we will trust the promises of scripture that God is with us and will provide for us because of the victory that is ours through the resurrection of Jesus, our Lord and Savior.
Go ahead and take the big bite and read all of Joshua and look for the many ways this story is not just a story of old but reflects the story of Jesus and ultimately our story as well.
Father, today we choose to serve you and you alone. Today we walk in faith and not fear because of Jesus our Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Joshua 1:3-9, 24:14-28 ESV
Photo by Pexels
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