"Be Strong and Courageous!"

“Be Strong and Courageous!”

“Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”     Joshua 1:9



God knew that Joshua had some feelings, concerning his calling in taking over Moses’ position, as LEADER of the Israelites, and being able to take them into the Promised Land.  Joshua may have been apprehensive about his role in such a MONUMENTAL task. 



In verse five, God told Joshua: “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life.  As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will NEVER leave you nor FORSAKE you.  In verse six He tells Joshua, “BE STRONG and COURAGEOUS,” in verse seven:  He tells him again “BE STRONG and VERY COURAGEOUS.  And then again in verse nine, our verse for today.



Sounds to me like Joshua was in need of some ENCOURAGEMENT and maybe a little CHARACTER-BUILDING. Much like the TRUE BELIEVER of today, we, like Joshua, NEED to BE STRONG and COURAGEOUS, in facing these Last Days.  We NEED to face EACH DAY TRUSTING God by KNOWING and BELIEVING that He is with us, and He will NEVER LEAVE us NOR FORSAKE us. 



The Apostle Paul, in 1 Corinthians 16:13,14, tells us to: “Be on your guard; STAND FIRM in the FAITH; BE COURAGEOUS; BE STRONG.  Do EVERYTHING in LOVE.” These Words of ENCOURAGEMENT for the TRUE BELIEVER are NECESSARY.   We NEED to be ENCOURAGED in our FAITH, especially when we are faced with the opposition, and we suffer because of who we are and what we stand for.   And because the GOD of ALL grace, who CALLED you to His ETERNAL GLORY in CHRIST, after you have suffered a little while, will HIMSELF RESTORE you and make you STRONG, FIRM and STEADFAST.  (1 Peter 5:10)



So, what about the UNBELIEVER?  Well, they too, will have to live through the PERILOUS TIMES, which we will all face.  But they will also have to SUFFER through the HORRORS of the TRIBULATION period, and if they don’t give their HEART and LIFE to God, they will SUFFER for ALL ETERNITY in HELL, with ALL its HORRORS, and NO WAY to ESCAPE, after they are there.  However, they have the OPPORTUNITY NOW, to TURN AWAY FROM their sinful lifestyle, and TURN TO GOD, with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART.  CONFESSING their sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS.  Then BELIEVING, with ALL their HEART, that JESUS CHRIST, died for them, and that He is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for them, before God.  They MUST ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and BE STRONG and VERY COURAGEOUS in their FAITH. And KNOW for SURE that their ETERNAL DESTINATION will be in HEAVEN, with ALL its BLESSINGS.  Do this NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and COMING SOON!!!