Living His Word (March 9th, 2022)

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”
Joshua 1:9 KJV

After the death of Moses, Joshua was given the task of leading the people of Israel into the Promised Land. Like Joshua, all of us that are in Christ Jesus have a task that we are called to perform. It may not be as great as Joshua’s task, but it is a task from God nonetheless. In some way, shape, or form, we are called to advance and develop the Kingdom of God—the New Testament equivalent of the Promised Land.

In our verse for today, God commands Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed. Given his task of having to conquer the inhabitants of the Promised Land, there would be plenty of opportunity for fear and dismay on Joshua’s part. As with Joshua, there will always be plenty of opportunity for fear and dismay on our part as well. Advancing the Kingdom of God incurs the opposition of the enemy and the enemy is one who likes to “steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10).

Joshua was encouraged by God in his task in two ways. First, he was assured by God that God Himself had commanded him to take on the task. Joshua need not allow self-doubt as to his call enter the picture. Second, God assured Joshua that He would be with him. Joshua knew that, come what may, God was there to help him complete the task. So likewise, we can be assured that God has called us to our task and that He will be with us helping us to complete it. We should not allow self-doubt and fear hinder the completion of our task.

Today, as you get ready to go about the task or tasks God has given you to sustain, maintain, and advance His Kingdom, remember Joshua. There is probably nothing you are going to face today that will surpass the challenges he had to face, yet God commanded him not to be afraid or dismayed. Thus, do not be afraid and do not be dismayed.

After all, has He not also commanded you?