It's just something you can't be afraid to have

"Courage"

Joshua 1:6, 7, 9...

When you think of courage, what do you think of?  The Cowardly Lion, maybe... but what else?  A soldier?  A single parent?  Someone stepping out in faith and obedience?   I did some wandering in the Book of Joshua a few days ago, and you can't be in Joshua chapter 1 without coming face to face with God's command to be courageous.  But in my reading, I noticed some things in a new way.  


If you want to follow along, I'm in Joshua 1:1-9.


First, Courage comes from God.  Almost every time courage is mentioned in Scripture, it is a command:  "Be of good courage."  It appears four times in this chapter alone.  And anything commanded by God is going to be accompanied by the ability to achieve it.  If you're looking for courage in any other place, you're not going to find it.  Courage comes from God.


Next, Courage is accompanied by strength.  Of the 21 times we are commanded to be courageous, only four of those verses do not include something about strength.  And one of those verses that didn't say anything about strength, said to be valiant, and the word "valiant" comes from the Latin for.... say it with me.... strength.  Courage comes from strength.  Strength comes from courage.  When God sees the need for one, He gives us both.


Courage comes with instructions.  (verse 2) "Arise, and go over the Jordan," He said, "you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them." Courage is not given to us when we stay in a place of comfort, because courage is not needed then.  Courage is given to us when we step up, step in, or step out.


Courage comes with a promise.  (verse 3-5) "Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon, I have given you.... From the wilderness... as far as the great river... and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.  And 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."  Courage comes with His promises, because Courage comes from His promises.


Courage comes with the Law.  (verse 7-8) "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... 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."  Courage comes with being in the Word... and being in the Word sometimes takes courage.


Courage leads to prosperity and success.  (verse 6,8) "To this people, you shall divide, as an inheritance, the land which I swore to their fathers to give them... you will make your way prosperous and then you will have good success."  God is not a dictator.  He commands nothing on a whim.  He wants us to have joy, peace and abundance, and so He tells us how.


Finally ~ He is with you.  "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go."