Courage is one of the classic virtues. Wisdom can tell you what to do. Temperance can tell you when to do it. But courage makes it happen. The virtues all work together to make you into the man or woman that God would have you be. The power for courage, and all the other virtues, comes from the Holy Spirit.

Three times in 4 verses the Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous. As the book opens, Moses, the man of God, is dead. People wondered who would lead them into the Promised Land. The Lord makes it plain that it is to be Joshua. Moses had difficulty from without (Pharaoh, famine) and from within (idolatry and rebellion), but God was with him the whole time. Joshua would face similar perils. He was to be strong and courageous in leading the people because God promised to be with him as God was with Moses (v 5).

Where does courage come from? Not in having the bigger army or the better plan. It comes from the reassurance that God is with us. Joshua was not afraid of giants because he knew the power of God. Joshua had courage because he knew the Lord was powerful and the Lord was with him. With that knowledge comes peace and courage.

The presence of the Lord has a flip side of it as well. If you remember that the Lord is with you, then you will be sure to do what he has told you to do. You will fear the Lord because you know he has the real power. If you remember who has the real power, it is easier not to fear those who do not. Joshua saw the power of the one who brought the plagues on Egypt, the one who split the Red Sea, the one who fed the multitudes in the desert. If you fear the Lord, you will not be afraid of people; you will have courage to do what the Lord says to do.

Joshua is told to be courageous and to root that courage in the Word of God (vv 7-8). Courage is the power to do something, but without wisdom we will not do what is right. Courage without wisdom will only embolden you in sin and rebellion against God. Wisdom comes from the Word of God. Power comes from knowing the word of God and having it alive in our lives day by day.

That is what the scripture means by saying, Do not let this book of the Law depart from your mouth. We are not to ever stop speaking the Word and about the Word. Don’t let the Holy Scriptures take a vacation from your mouth. This does not mean that you do nothing but quote the Bible. It means that the Scripture becomes so much part of your thinking that it influences everything you do and say. You know that you are with God when his Word is with you and in you.

I know what you are thinking. That is great for Joshua, but how does this apply to me? I’m not leading the people of God into the Promised Land. Fair enough. But God has shown you the power of his love, mercy and might. You have seen and known the power of God in your life if you are a Christian. He is calling you to be strong and courageous in traveling the path he has before you.

Are you a parent? Are you not leading your children, your family on the path that leads to life? This is not easy. You will face difficulty on that path. Struggles from within and without. There are struggles of sickness and lack of resources. There may be times when there is rebellion in the ranks. Isn’t it really the same as Moses and Joshua, only on a smaller scale? Be strong and courageous. Don’t give up. Trust in the Lord. Keep praying. Keep leading. When times are good, rejoice. When times are difficult, consider.

Even if you do not seem to be leading anyone, you are leading yourself on a journey through life. If you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, then you are on a journey to the Promised Land. All along the way you will be challenged in your faith. There are enemies from without—those who would belittle your faith. There are trials from within—temptations and sin that still needs rooted out by the Holy Spirit. Be strong and courageous. God is with you to see you all the way home.

There is one last prompt for us to have courage. We have God’s presence, God’s promises, God’s Word and in verse 9, God’s command. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. God has invited us to follow him. But we cannot forget that this invitation is also a command. Your path is before you. God has called you to follow him. His blessing awaits you along the way and his glory at the end. Be strong and courageous.