Today's post is by guest writer Keith Ward.
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Josh 1:9).
People have used this often lately for an encouragement. They are reading it as God commanding Joshua to be strong and courageous. Dare I suggest that this may not be the intent of the passage?
God had just commanded Joshua to go take the land of promise. So now he says that since HE commanded, Joshua should be strong and full of courage in fulfilling that command. He should not despair at the odds or be worried at his own limitations. God commanded it; therefore trust Him to see you through it.
Often we worry about the details. Robert Turner called it “Whittling on God’s end of the stick.” If God commanded it, we need to get busy and do it. We need not count the size of our treasury or despair at our inabilities. God commanded it. He will take care of the rest if we will just get off our duffs and DO IT!
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:11-13
Keith Ward
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (Josh 1:9).
People have used this often lately for an encouragement. They are reading it as God commanding Joshua to be strong and courageous. Dare I suggest that this may not be the intent of the passage?
God had just commanded Joshua to go take the land of promise. So now he says that since HE commanded, Joshua should be strong and full of courage in fulfilling that command. He should not despair at the odds or be worried at his own limitations. God commanded it; therefore trust Him to see you through it.
Often we worry about the details. Robert Turner called it “Whittling on God’s end of the stick.” If God commanded it, we need to get busy and do it. We need not count the size of our treasury or despair at our inabilities. God commanded it. He will take care of the rest if we will just get off our duffs and DO IT!
Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Phil 4:11-13
Keith Ward
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