Recently, a professor of mine used Joshua 1:9 as a devotional at the beginning of class. What she had to say about the verse really stuck with me, and I'd like to share it, along with some of my other reflections based around the ideas therein.
As the devotion was originally shared in Spanish (and I assume that most people who read this are native English speakers), I'll do my best to translate the full meaning of the original devotional thought.
I've been dealing with a lot of transitions in my life lately, both present and impending, so when my professor reminded me of one of the greatest transitions in the history of the Israelites, I couldn't help but find peace in what I learned about how God handles the tough times in our lives.
In Joshua 1:9, God is speaking to Joshua, the brand new leader of Israel and the man who is supposed to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. Having spent years as an assistant to Moses, being tossed into the spotlight must have been a frightening thing for Joshua.
Twice before this verse, the Lord admonishes Joshua to "be strong" and "very courageous." The verse in question, though, sums up nicely everything that the Lord had to say to the new young leader.
"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
God takes this opportunity to bolster Joshua by reminding him that He will be with him wherever he goes. While the idea of God being present through all our trials is indeed key, that is not what stood out to me (nor to my professor when she presented this verse).
God did not label Himself as "the God of Moses" or "the God of your forefathers." He specifically said, "I am YOUR God, Joshua." It's as if God truly wanted him to understand that he was chosen and that he wasn't just walking in someone else's faith.
God chose Joshua; now all Joshua had to do was choose God. Joshua could have chosen to not be the kind of assertive leader God had called him to be. He was quite a young man, and I imagine that some of the people (especially the elders in the tribes) probably had a real issue with his appointment to leadership, even if the Lord did command it.
Not to mention that Joshua was going into a very unfamiliar situation. All the reports of the land in front of him showed that it was indeed hostile territory and that a war was basically inevitable.
All I can think is how hard it must have been to really hear God say, "Be strong and courageous" when such a daunting task loomed in the future.
Though in my mind I picture Joshua to be a much greater warrior and confident leader than Gideon was in the book of Judges, I still get the impression that he still had his doubts, perhaps not on God's ability, but possibly on his own.
But how can one be discouraged when even the Lord is telling you, "Hey! You've got this! Be strong! Be courageous!"
In the same way, I feel like God is calling to us as he did to Joshua in that time of great transition in his life: "You're my child! I'm your God! With Me, all things are possible! I won't give you a task that My grace cannot provide you strength to complete!"
The thing that stood out to me most about this verse, though, is that it wasn't a suggestion. It was a command. Don't be afraid. Don't be dismayed. Be strong. Be courageous.
That being said, to be afraid and dismayed about the future is to be in direct disobedience to God. To even lose our courage is not following God's command. It gives me a whole new reason to quit looking at what I can't do and look at what God is doing through me.
And why can we leave fear behind and embrace the courage we need to face the battles of life? Because our God is with us. Always.
May I never cease to praise Him for His lovingkindness and His marvelous presence in my life! In the light of His goodness and grace, how can the troubles of this world compare?
