This guest post is by Scott Gage. At Forsythe Church we will begin a study of Joshua this week and I thought this was a great way to begin that study. This article takes an event and saying from Joshua’s story and helps us remember God’s promises. If you would like to receive lesson notes from that study, you can subscribe to the FORSYTHE SERMONS substack free of charge. Biographical information and links for Scott are found at the end of this good article.
Be Strong and of Good Courage
“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…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 1:5, 9
With these stirring words above God commissioned Joshua to lead the Children of Israel into the Promised Land. Joshua had been a witness to the way that God had been with Moses. There had been those who tried to stand up against Moses but God always delivered Moses from their hands. God’s promise to Joshua was that he will be with him just as he was with Moses. This message must have been encouraging to Joshua. God admonished Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed because God said he would be with him wherever he went.
The very first place Joshua finds himself is before the massive walls of the City of Jericho. God gave Joshua an amazing battle plan that did not include any battering rams, swords, or spears. There was a lot of marching and then a great shout and the walls came tumbling down! We are amazed when we read about the faith and the courage of Joshua.
We want to notice just a few of God’s promises to us.
First is his promise of forgiveness and his indwelling spirit:
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’” (Acts 2:38-39).
Do you sometimes feel poor and overlooked? Listen to what James writes to us: “Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love him?” (James 2:5).
Did you know that Jesus prayed a prayer that included you? It is recorded in John: “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one; I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have love Me.” John 17:20-23
No matter what your circumstances today, be strong and of good courage because God has promised to forgive you and fill you with his spirit. He wants you to be an heir of his kingdom. And he has prayed that you may be one in him, just as the Apostles and other believers. And isn’t it amazing that Jesus prayed that God would love you just as God loved Jesus? We should keep these promises in mind because they will be of great encouragement to us. Be strong and of good courage and be not afraid.
-Scott Gage, South Hill Church of Christ, Fayetteville, Arkansas
L. Scott Gage, elder and minister of the South Hill Church of Christ in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Other writings of his can be found on the Vitamin E(ncouragement) page HERE. Videos of Bible lessons and sermons can be found on his YouTube channel HERE.