“In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul.” Joshua 1:5-7 (msg)
In the NIV version, God tells Joshua not to be afraid. It would seem that the only reason God would mention it was because Joshua was afraid. Joshua had seen all that God had done through Moses, the way the Red Sea parted, and the divine provision of God in the desert. Now, the mantle had been laid upon Joshua. The task at hand was large. No one in the group had entered the promise land before and as Joshua prepared to move the people of Israel to a new place, fear could have held him back. God’s promise to the people had not changed; but He was needing a leader who had courage to take on uncertainty.
In a sense, Joshua probably had a crisis of faith. He had seen God work through Moses, and he had to choose faith or fear. However, God’s promise to Joshua and to you and me today is that He will be with you and not give up on you. Isn’t that a reassuring promise? Even if you step out in faith and fall, God is not going to give up on you but believes in you to carry out the calling on your life.
Sometimes we think that courage is not being afraid, but it simply requires us to place a higher value or importance on something else. It is one thing to be a courageous leader when you are comfortable, but it is something else to be a courageous leader when you are in the land of uncertainty. Honestly, Joshua could have led the people in the desert because he was familar with that lifestyle and had watched Moses lead people in the desert. But, God wanted to take Joshua to a place he had never been and it was going to require courage on his part.
Finally, God commands Joshua to give it everthing, heart and soul. Why? Because a leader who is full-on in their committment with intensity to carry out the call of God will be able to lead the people despite unanswered questions. God’s command is the same to you and me. “Give everything you have.” He is asking us to be full-on at all times, wherever we are going. The thing about full-on people is that they attract others and can point them in the right direction. Do not be afraid. Give your everything. If God has brought you here, He will see you through.
Written by : honaamer
