Courage to StandIsampula

Be Strong

I live in the wild west of Ireland where I surf the big waves of the Cliffs of Moher. It takes courage to surf these waves – just like it takes courage to surf the waves of life – and the book of Joshua is an incredible source of insight and inspiration.

As Joshua is commissioned to fill Moses’s sandals, God pinpoints what he needs most: courage. Joshua has witnessed God’s miracles in Egypt and in the wilderness, which surely must’ve bolstered his bravery to face the future. But still, standing on the brink of the Promised Land, he needs all the courage he can scrape together. So God says to him, ‘Be strong and of good courage...’ (Joshua 1:6).

Joshua’s task isn’t going to be easy, but God gives him a threefold victory plan we can follow too. Like Joshua, we’re journeying forward, not necessarily to possess physical land, but to lay hold of all Jesus has for us. Firstly, God repeats His command for Joshua to be strong and courageous. Secondly, God commands Joshua to observe and obey His Word. Thirdly, God commands Joshua never to deviate from that Word.

When I surf, I wear an inflation vest. If a wave forces me under, the vest pops me back up to the surface where I can breathe again. That’s what God’s Word does for us. When we’re submerged by life’s pressures, meditating on God’s Word brings us back up to the surface – back into the presence of God – where we can regain perspective. Another way of thinking about consuming scripture is to look at how cows chew the cud. Instead of hurrying our Bible intake with quick chomping and swallowing, we could ‘chew’ on God’s Word throughout the day – constantly bringing to mind what we’ve been reading. The Bible is God-breathed, inerrant, and authoritative, and we desperately need a healthy diet of it. It has the power to save us and lift us from discouragement.

At this monumental moment in history, God tells Joshua, ‘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 1:9). This incredible encouragement applies to us too. Our strength isn’t human. God is working in and through us, empowering us by the Holy Spirit. Whether the battle you currently face is physical, spiritual, or both, you can face it with renewed strength, knowing God is with you. He sees what’s behind and ahead of you, and His victory plan is clear: He calls you to show up before Him daily, ready to receive the gift of His strength and courage as you meditate on His Word. May you be strong in the knowledge that God is with you, and He has a plan to use your life for His glory. There’s a wave for you to catch!