This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go –

Joshua 1:9

Can the child of God survive in this turbulent world without courage and strength from on high? Can the Christian confront the challenges of today and lead his family without a touch of supernatural boldness and courage?  

Considering the political, economic, social, moral and spiritual upheavals around the world today, and your charge to faithfully follow Jesus with integrity, you may be feeling like Joshua being asked to lead Israel into the Promised Land after the death of Moses (Joshua 1:2-9).

The future looks bleak and uncertain these days. No one can predict the news we will wake up to tomorrow. With increasing conflicts around the world, increasing poverty, moral decay, and the aggressive push of liberal thought in Christendom, it is difficult for any Christian to be confident about maintaining their Christian bearing, let alone, to lead their family into the future.

When we consider these things with proper perspective, we can appreciate the Lord’s command to Joshua when the greatest challenge of his life after Moses’ death confronted him (2). We can see the loving kindness of our God who knows the emotional turmoil and challenges that confront His children in diverse situations and different times. At such a crucial time in Joshua’s life, God stepped in to encourage His knee-wobbling servant in his new role with these words: “Be strong and courageous! Don’t be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (9)?

Many times, we feel like Joshua. With so much responsibility on our head, we feel like we don’t measure up to the task at hand. How could we? We are not Moses! Fear paralyses us and we feel lost in our parental role amid the filth that surrounds us. Courage eludes us as we lead in our offices or community where people have no regard for godliness. For you, it may be about your call to leadership in the Church, which is being challenged by the combined forces of worldliness, rationalization of spiritual truth, compromises, spiritual apathy, cultic practices dressed in Christian garbs, and the “me first” mentality that pervades the world today. Does any of this sound familiar?

Our encouragement today is not to quit. It is not the time to throw our hands in the air and give up. Deep calls to deep (Ps. 42:7). These are times to step into deep waters with God to receive a big dose of divine strength and courage to push against Jericho. These times call for a godly disposition that puts a face and flesh on Paul’s words in Romans 8:37: “No, in all these things you are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

So, do not be afraid! Do not lose hope or step back; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. He will guide and strengthen you as you courageously live for Him to lead your family, office, or Church in Christ for His glory!