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"Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them - to the Israelites. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Joshua 1:2,6

What would you do if you were commissioned by God to do something that you knew you were incapable of doing? I mean in and of yourself it’s not happening and even with God’s help you are still a little afraid. Joshua was faced with filling the shoes of Moses, God’s hand-picked servant that delivered the Israelite people from 400+ years of Egyptian slavery. Do you think he might have been just a little intimidated or scared? I think so—since he was human. But repeatedly, God told him to “be strong and courageous”--in fact it was three times. When my mom repeated instructions in normally meant she was serious or I was about to get beat. Either way, repeated instructions usually are a serious admonishment to follow the instructions that are given. Why would God give such an admonishment to Joshua? Could it be that he knew how strong the opposition would be entering the Promised Land? Or maybe it was the fact that Joshua had spent the last twenty years or so as Moses’ assistant and was now the new leader elect? Maybe because there were in fact giants in the new land that were very intimidating and strong. You know what, it doesn’t really matter because it was probably all those things. However, when God gives you an instruction to be “strong and courageous” you can be sure that it means at least a couple of things. First, realize you need him. End of story. There is no way to exhibit strength in obedience to him unless you first acknowledge that you need him to do whatever he has commanded. Next, the promise of success was conditioned on the Israelites being obedient to God (see Joshua 1:7). Whenever, we are given a promise by God that he will do something we should always expect a condition. Maybe I’ve said this before, but my pastor once said that “God’s promises are like your momma’s—they are all conditional”. God knew the hearts of the Israelites and as before this was another test of their character. Often our tests are a measuring stick for our character. Which leads me to the next point, God knows what he has placed in you. As an aside, in the story of Job, as Satan came before God to afflict Job’s well-being and health, God’s response was a cool, calm and collected very well then (see Job 1:12; 2:6-NIV). Rest assured child of God, that God realizes the greatness he has placed in you and is just waiting for Satan’s plan to back-fire in his face as you exhibit strength in obedience. Let your trial be a stomping ground for declaring your place in God’s kingdom and claiming victory over the Enemy. He is defeated. He can’t stand against an obedient child of God that relies on the strength of God to endure. Like Jesus, you too can tell your foe, it is written and wield the sword of the Spirit to strike off the Enemy’s head! Like Joshua, you too will stand up (although your knees may be knocking) to cross the Jordan River to claim the inheritance that God has promised to you. Declare prophetically that you will walk in strength and courage into what God has promised to you. Pray the blessings of God into your life—that new job, that financial breakthrough, that new relationship, or wisdom to handle everything that God has committed unto you. Be strong and courageous!

"Point of Reference" from Fred Price

The In-Between-Times