I was listening to our local Christian radio station recently and heard a discussion on a particular text from the book of Joshua. Taking in the context surrounding Joshua 1:8, this discussion brought up a couple points I hadn’t previously considered.
“6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful 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. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:6-9 (emphasis mine)
Verse eight of chapter one is quite familiar and well-known. Many of us have memorized it or have it on a mug or home décor item. But do we truly have any idea of the meaning and depth of these words?
The Context
We can begin to draw up the picture by looking at the verses surrounding verse eight. Notice in verse six, the words, “Be strong and courageous.” How can this be when we are, without question, living in such uncertain times? Unbridled emotions. Unrestrained actions. Abounding dissension. Raging tragedy.
Yet, these are God’s words to us, “Be strong, be courageous.” How on earth are we to do that? Verses seven and eight help to answer our question. We need to be in God’s Word, with God’s people, surrounding ourselves with the things of Christ. Now is not the time to abandon. Nor is it the time to abandon the things of God. We need community to sharpen and encourage us. We need time in God’s Word for spiritual growth and strength.
Our families need us. They need us to be strong with a strength that comes from God alone. They need us to lead them biblically “according to all that is written in [Scripture].”
Let’s not stop before verse nine. Notice the repetition – “Be strong and courageous.” It’s like a highlighter. Notice this! See this! Get this! You are to be strong and courageous! Yes, you. Yes, now, in these difficult and uncertain times.
The Application
You, grandpa, grandma, dad, mom, can be strong and courageous by knowing the Book of the Law and meditating on it (verse eight). And it doesn’t stop there, because the passage goes on to say, “For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success (not necessarily financially but spiritually). This is the central focus of the passage.
This is what I saw more clearly after hearing this discussion. I am to be strong and courageous (especially in these uncertain times) by knowing Scripture and meditating on it for the sake of my children and grandchildren who need my God-given strength and leading so they can follow.
