Joshua 1:6-7 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
Moses is gone, and now Joshua is given the huge responsibility of going in and conquering the land God swore to give. This awesome challenge would require more strength and courage than a human might naturally possess. The Lord would have to give him His strength and courage. And He did. And Joshua responded. In order to receive and exercise courage Joshua would observe to do the Law and turn not from it for any reason. If he would respond with faith and obedience, then the Lord would prosper him wherever he goes. Although courage is Joshua’s response, it also written for us that we, too, might respond with strength and courage in the face of our spiritual enemies, who try to keep us from enjoying Life in the Kingdom. We face many dangers, trials, fears, and foes, but Jesus (Joshua) is always there to give us the strength and courage to win the victory and occupy the Promised Land. We remember that courage is fear that’s been baptized.
Discouragement is an ever present enemy that seeks to bring us down, but in place of that we possess the strength and courage of the Lord. We who are baptized can say boldly, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me [Philippians 4:13].” If the Lord gives us a task, no matter how impossible it looks, He will give the strength and courage to do it.