Joshua is one of the people I continually go back to study.  And one of the things that stands out to me is how many times God told Him the same thing.  DO NOT FEAR.  BE STRONG.  BE COURAGEOUS.

Joshua was the military commander under Moses, and then promoted to lead all of Israel into the Promised Land.  Joshua KNEW first hand the issues that Moses struggled.  He was one of the two spies who stood against the other 10 in front of all the people.  And he saw the people choose fear over faith.  He sat in the desert for 40 years as those people died off.  THEN God says, “Okay, Josh.  Take the people in.”

“WHAT?  Why me?  These people?  Seriously!?”

Those would be my thoughts.

But as I have learned.  The faith walk is not for sissies.

Before Moses (at the age of 120 BTW) stepped down and went to Mt. Nebo, he spoke to the people:

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV

Then he called Joshua to him in front of all the people and repeated it to Joshua directly:

“Then Moses called Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8 NKJV

Then you roll on into the book of Joshua, and the first thing written is what God spoke to Joshua after Moses died is…(drum roll please)…Do Not Fear.  Yes, the exact same message again.

“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: ^‘Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.  Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  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.‘” Joshua 1:1-9 NKJV

Why?  Fear is a sneaky punk.  And it’s relentless in it’s efforts to make you live a pathetic small life.  But God is bigger than fear.  His love kicks fear’s ass every time.  You just need to do your part and be bold and courageous.

Point to ponder while you wander…Today.  Right now. In the decision you are about to make…  Remember one thing.  God has personally gone before you into the place He’s asking you to go.