“Have I not commanded you? Be robust and brave. Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged, for the Lord your God might be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Yearly the YouVersion Bible App releases its hottest verses for the yr, and yr after yr Joshua 1:9 ranks close to the highest. And for good cause, it’s inspiring, gives consolation, and reminds us of God’s presence in our lives. However, whereas we all know the phrases we regularly miss what this verse really means.
Too typically we take this verse as a private promise and ignore the context. Once we do, we danger lacking the richness of what God’s phrase and the way it applies to our lives as we speak.
On this weblog put up we’re going to dive into the that means of Joshua 1:9. I imagine what you will notice will present you power and encouragement for no matter you might be going through.
The Context Of Joshua 1:9
To assist us higher perceive what Joshua 1:9 means, I need to first check out the bigger context wherein this verse is written.
The e-book of Joshua begins we see Moses, the chief of the Israelites, dying. God tells Joshua that he’s going to be the one which leads this nation into the Promised Land (Joshua 1:1-2). It’s a giant job and one that may include a variety of challenges and difficulties.
That is Joshua’s command, to guide this nation. However he isn’t to do it alone. God makes clear that he might be with him. In Joshua 1:5 he guarantees Joshua that he might be with him each step of the way in which.
Due to this Joshua is to boldly step into this position. Time and again God tells him “be robust and brave.” Sure, the duty could be tough, however he’ll present for him.
This leads us to the verse we’re taking a look at, and it’s essential that we don’t miss this context. Many take Joshua 1:9 as a private command, but it surely’s not. It’s a command that God gave Joshua.
Don’t miss this. The Bible is written FOR you, but it surely was not written TO you. Once we learn the Bible like private letters written on to us we regularly misapply what it says. That’s why it’s essential that we take note of the context wherein verses are written.
That’s to not say there’s nothing on this verse for us as we speak. Fairly the alternative! Whereas the promise on this passage is restricted to Joshua, the precept extends to us as we speak. However we have to perceive the context to correctly apply the precept to our lives.
So, let’s take a look at the Joshua 1:9 that means and see what God guarantees Joshua. Then we’ll take a look at how we may be robust and brave in our lives as we speak.
What Joshua 1:9 Means
So, God instructions Joshua to guide the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. Between the place they’re now and the place they’re going, there might be many trials and tribulations. They’ll face hazard and the unknown. This is not going to be a straightforward job.
To encourage Joshua God makes him this promise…
Have I Not Commanded You?
God is reminding Joshua of what he’s mentioned to date previously few verses.
Joshua 1:5, “I might be with you”
Joshua 1:6, “Be robust and brave”
Joshua 1:7, “You might have success”
Joshua 1:8, “You’ll have success”
Joshua 1:9, “Be robust and brave”
Joshua 1:9, “God is with you”
Time and again God is repeating the identical command to Joshua. Lead the nation boldly and I might be with you.
Be Robust And Brave
Joshua’s job is daunting. There might be challenges, enemies, and setbacks alongside the way in which. Regardless of all this, Joshua is to be robust and brave, and he’s to guide confidently.
Joshua is commanded to not simply lead the nation of Israel, but additionally to take action boldly. To be fearful or to guide trembling would present insecurity in God.
Joshua isn’t referred to as to only lead, however to be robust and brave.
Don’t be afraid
Joshua is surrounded by issues to be afraid of.
He’s taking over an enormous duty; it’s new to him. Will he be sufficient?
He’s going to guide his individuals to battle; will they win?
He’s going to should cope with the issues of his individuals; does he have knowledge?
He’s going to day by day face challenges and risks. And regardless of the plethora of issues to be afraid of, God instructions Joshua, “don’t be afraid.” He’s to guide boldly and be robust and brave.
You may additionally like: The REAL Which means Of two Timothy 1:7 (easy methods to not dwell in concern and timidity)
Do Not Be Discouraged
Equally, to not being afraid, he’s to not get discouraged. There have been possible days the place Joshua felt like they might by no means get there, that the challenges have been too large to beat.
God is looking Joshua to a excessive stage of religion. To imagine upfront what’s going to solely make sense in reverse. To belief that God will present a means even when there appears to not be a means. Joshua is to belief in God and never get discouraged.
For The Lord Your God Will Be With You Wherever You Go
How is all this doable? How can Joshua be anticipated to be robust and brave when he’s going through such harmful circumstances? How can he not be afraid, not be discouraged?
The reply is within the final a part of Joshua 1:9— God is with him wherever he goes.
The important thing to Joshua’s success will not be in himself, however in God’s presence with him. Joshua can lead confidently as a result of God is not going to abandon him.
Peace is discovered not within the absence of the storm however within the presence of God. And that’s what Joshua is commanded to imagine, that God will present within the midst of the storm.
How To Be Robust And Brave
Now that we all know the that means of Joshua 1:9 let’s take a look at the way it applies to our lives as we speak. Once more, bear in mind this verse isn’t written to us. We aren’t referred to as to guide the nation of Israel into the Promised Land. You aren’t Joshua.
This verse was not written to you, however it’s written FOR you. The principal nonetheless applies to us as we speak and has some highly effective fact for us to dwell by.
Let’s return by way of the instructions to see how the rules apply to our lives as we speak.
Residing Robust And Brave
God calls all of his followers to be robust and brave. Paul writes this in 2 Timothy 1:7, “For the Spirit God gave us doesn’t make us timid, however offers us energy, love and self-discipline.”
How can we dwell robust and brave? We maintain our eye on Jesus. This isn’t one thing that we will do on our personal, however one thing God does by way of us.
If we attempt to be robust and brave on our personal we’ll fail. The trials we face in life are too tough. However with God by our facet we will dwell confidently no matter what we face.
Residing With out Worry
Worry sells in our tradition. So many messages focus on one thing you have to be afraid of. And many people dwell our lives and make choices out of concern.
In distinction the message of Jesus is don’t be afraid (Matthew 10:28). Why? As a result of he’s larger than the issues we concern.
In Romans 8:31 Paul says, “What, then, let’s assume in response to those issues? If God is for us, who may be in opposition to us?”
Many people we get so fixated on the issues round us that carry concern. However relatively than specializing in these, we must always repair our eyes on God. As a result of if he’s for us, then these different issues don’t matter when in comparison with what he has completed for us.
You may additionally like: What Does The Bible Say About Worry? (and the way we will overcome it)
Residing With out Discouragement
Once we take our eyes off God, not solely will concern creep in however so will discouragement. Other than God it might probably seem to be all the pieces is falling aside, like there’s no hope.
God will typically lead us to locations which might be difficult, tough, and that don’t make sense. And religion requires us to belief that whereas it may not is sensible from our perspective, God is doing what’s greatest. And once we maintain our eyes on Him we will discover encouragement and hope.
Closing Ideas On Joshua 1:9
Joshua 1:9 reminds us that God is with us, subsequently we may be robust and brave as we pursue his calling in our life.
Spend time reminding your self of that. Don’t take your eyes off God. Issues may get tough in your life; he may name you to step into the unknown. However you may be robust and brave if you happen to maintain your eyes on him.
Joshua 1:9 is a reminder that God has one thing unbelievable for you. So, step into that story and maintain your eyes on him.
The most effective methods to do that is to develop a routine of connecting with God. One useful resource I HIGHLY advocate is Mark Moore’s Core 52: A Fifteen-Minute Day by day Information to Construct Your Bible IQ in a Yr
This e-book will information you thru methods you may develop in your religion and higher perceive what the Bible teaches us. It’s a good way to remain targeted on God.
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