After Moses had died, Joshua was called to be the next leader of Israel. As he was preparing to do so, God personally challenges him to take the position and move forward. The task is great and boldness is required to accomplish it. The reason he should be ready to move forward and bring the people into the promised land was because "God is with thee."
Every child of God has the same promise of His continual presence. We can be faithful to Him because He is with us. Once you understand this, and are truly seeking to serve Him, then the other parts of the verse make sense:
- Be strong
- Be of a good courage
- Be not afraid
- Be not dismayed.
The key to boldness for the true child of God (one who is born again - Jn. 3:3) is two-fold:
1. Being right with God (having sin confessed) – and being surrendered to His will.
It needs to be remembered that the believer needs to know and obey the Word of God in daily life. Just two verses earlier, God tells Joshua: "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." Obedience is not for salvation, but it can only take place in those who personally know the Lord.
2. Being willing to go forward with God.
God wants us to follow, knowing that He is able to direct and keep us. He will also provide for us (Ps. 23).
God does not promise that we will continue to always have a comfortable and pleasant life. Far from it. He does, however, promise to always be with us.
Christian, with His strength to help you, will you move forward with God and for the promotion of His Kingdom today?
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Keywords: strength, God, move forward, Kingdom, good courage, obedience