Be strong and courageous, for you will lead my people to possess all the land I swore to give their ancestors.
Devotional Text
Fear and timidity cripple and paralyze. Three times the Lord told Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:6-7, 9). Even Joshua’s own people echoed God’s encouragement to him (v. 18). God cannot use timid, fearful vessels to accomplish the mighty conquests He envisions for His people. How helpful it would be if we could only see that our enemies are melting in fear because of us (2:9)! If we could take a peek at the enemy’s camp, we would see how fearful they are of those who are in Christ. Gideon was privileged to see this when he crept down to the enemy’s camp and found the soldiers so frightened that they were dreaming about Gideon’s might against them (Judges 7:13-14). Satan always tries to intimidate before the battle begins. When the Pharisees tried to frighten Jesus regarding Herod, Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that . . . I will accomplish my purpose” (Luke 13:32). Nothing could deter Him from His purpose because He knew the power resident in Him. When the enemy threatens and intimidates, arise in courage and boldness and go forward. Remember: Satan knows what the Lord has planned for us. “I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Everywhere you go, you will be on land I have given you’ ” (Joshua 1:3). Be strong!