Instead of God pointing Joshua to his huge army or his own strength, God points Joshua to Himself. God reminds Joshua that he can have courage in Him. In fact, Joshua 1:9 starts with, “Have I not commanded you?” Doesn’t it seem a little harsh for God to command Joshua to be strong and courageous? Isn’t he allowed to be scared?
God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous because he knows that the command hinges on God’s own faithfulness. Joshua has no reason to be strong and courageous if he is putting his confidence in his own army or in what he can see and understand. But Joshua has every reason to be strong and courageous if he is putting his confidence in God who will “be with [him] wherever [he goes]” (Joshua 1:9e, NIV).
God has proved over and over again that he is faithful, he can be trusted, he is good, he keeps his promises, nothing is impossible for him. What more does God have to do for us to put our full confidence in him? If we would take our eyes from our circumstances and look at who God is and what he is done, we would never move our gaze. God wants to give us the courage we need before we do what he commands us to do, but first we have to abandon everything we’ve been putting our confidence in outside of God. Abandon your confidence in your money, your time, your resources, your abilities, your plan, your spouse, your job—everything. The more we put our confidence in these things that fail, the more our discouragement will grow. Put your confidence in God and experience the courage he offers to give you the victory you need.
Reflection/Discussion Question: What are you putting your confidence in to give you the courage you need?

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