Being Brave Enough for the Task

Have you ever felt that being called for the task of sharing the gospel can be intimidating or frightening? You are far from alone.

If anyone ever felt inadequate to do what the occasion demanded, it was Joshua. His identity crisis was a double-edged sword. First, he was replacing the legend of all time, Moses. Second, Joshua was leading two million unruly people.

God didn’t begin by granting Joshua talent, wisdom, or even courage. God gave him an identity and forcefully commanded him to accept it. God had to convince Joshua he belonged in this role. He was the rightful leader of Israel. I must say: if Joshua did not believe it, the people would not either.

After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory. No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. 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 1:1–9

We must not just believe we belong at the table. We must believe in the message we bring to the table. The gospel is the greatest message the world has ever heard. Paul declared, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek” (Rom. 1:16).

Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, we will obey you. May the LORD your God be with you, as He was with Moses! —Joshua 1:17, MEV