“Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.””
Joshua 1:6-9 NKJV
It was finally time. After 40 years of wandering through the wilderness, Joshua was ready to lead the people across the Jordan River and into the land flowing with milk and honey. Can you imagine their excitement and anticipation? A long awaited dream and hope would soon be fulfilled – such joy!!
As G-d commissions Joshua in chapter 1, a theme emerges – and not just a theme, but a command: be strong and of good courage, be strong and very courageous, and yet again, be strong and of good courage. When something is said 3 times in a row, it’s worth paying attention to! Joshua was given marching orders!
One of my first and favorite memories of hearing G-d’s voice was when I was pregnant with Randal. I had some early signs of miscarriage with him and my midwife recommended a few days of bed rest. Early one morning, I woke up to a tear soaked pillow. I was so afraid of losing this pregnancy. I’d been down the miscarriage road before and we’d been waiting almost 3 years to conceive. Then I heard His whisper in my spirit: “Joshua 1:9” and the verse became my battle cry over this child and over a dear friend.
See, I’d already told family, but the very next call, after parents, was to a friend that had been trying for years to conceive but could not. G-d put it on my heart to pray specifically for her months before that He would not open my womb until it was her time. It was a dangerous prayer but I had absolute faith for her- I KNEW she would conceive, and because of the hope she had when I told her, I feared for her as well as for the child being formed inside of me. I didn’t want to lose this baby. The pregnancy continued, the baby grew, and every time fear tried to whisper in my heart, Joshua 1:9 was response as I marched on in faith for my child and for hers.
Randal’s birth was, according to our midwife, a miracle. A few days past my due date, I woke up at 3am in active labor and 4 hours later, he was in our arms. After he was delivered, the midwife explained to us that he had a velamentous cord insertion. She said had he born any earlier or later or had the amniotic sac been turned any other way, his umbilical cord would likely have been flushed out, leading to cord prolapse and death at birth. Even the doctor at the hospital I was later transferred to that morning declared him a miracle. G-d had a plan for this boy.
Joshua 1:9 became my battle cry and my peace over Randal from the womb to today. I just don’t worry about his physical safety. He has a destiny to fulfill and G-d will protect him until he has completed his assignment.
Randal is the vehicle G-d used to teach me to be strong and courageous. I’ve prayed bolder prayers and been more courageous. G-d birthed courage and strength in me through my son. And my friend? Her son, Joshua, was born 3 months after Randal.
I love what the Matthew Henry Commentary says about this passage, “Joshua had long since signalized his valour, in the war with Amalek, and in his dissent from the report of the evil spies; and yet God sees fit thus to inculcate this precept upon him. Those that have grace have need to be called upon again and again to exercise grace and to improve in it. Joshua was humble and low in his own eyes, not distrustful of God, and his power, and promise, but diffident of himself, and of his own wisdom, and strength, and sufficiency for the work, especially coming after so great a man as Moses; and therefore God repeats this so often, “Be strong and of a good courage; let not the sense of thy own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient.”
When we distrust ourselves, when we question His goodness, when we doubt, when fears creep in, and when comparison comes calling, G-d’s marching order is clear: be strong and of good courage. He will do what He has promised. He will fulfill His Word and accomplish His purposes. Don’t give up. Hold fast. Be strong and of good courage today.
Father – thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your protection over Randal and how You use him to teach me. Randal is a gift. Thank You for entrusting him to us to shepherd. You are good. Your leadership in my life is perfect and You can be trusted. Amen.
Daily Reading: Joshua 1-4