Be Strong and Courageous

We are all faced with challenges. Sometimes they are new challenges… sometimes they are recurring challenges. Sometimes the challenges breathe new life into us with the excitement of something different. Sometimes it can be daunting as we consider facing a challenge that did not go so well the last time we faced it.

As I was reading this morning reflecting on Joshua from the Old Testament gearing up with the 12 tribes of Israel to cross the Jordan River into the long-awaited Promised Land and the battle of Jericho that lay ahead, I wondered if such was his case.

We tend to think of Joshua as the warrior general of Israel who conquered multiple cities and established the nation back in its homeland. We visualize a confident Joshua, Moses’ right-hand man; the guy who had been mentored by one of Israel’s greatest leaders- Moses,  the Lawgiver… the famous leader that everyone in Israel knew. Joshua had lived in Moses shadow observing how God was with him. As a young man, he had experienced the 10 plagues that God had used Moses to get the Pharoh’s attention resulting in the release the Israelites to return to Canan. Joshua had crossed the Red Sea on dry ground as a young man. He was one of the twelve men that Moses had sent to spy on Canan and Jericho. Joshua was one of the two who had returned with an accurate report of the fruitfulness of the land and indeed the giants that lived in the land. He had also reported back that with God on their side, they could take the giants on and conquer. But it had not gone down that way. The Israelites had rebelled against Moses’ leadership.

Forty years later,  after wondering in the desert as punishment for Israel’s refusal to move forward,  Joshua was preparing to cross the Jordan River. Now he was responsible for getting the nation across the river. Was Joshua nervous? Was he intimidated? Did he experience self-doubt? I think so…  It only seems natural that he would have.

Well, I wonder if he compared himself to Moses…  Moses was the renowned leader of Israel. The Lawgiver whom everyone had seen perform the 10 plagues whom God had used to part the Red Sea;  Moses had provided water for a thirsty nation on more than one occasion. It was Moses that God had used to provide manna and quail when the nation was hungry. Moses had seen God face to face on the mountain when he received the Ten Commandments. Moses has a long and highly visible track record of success. And yet, when it was time to cross the river, this mighty and effective leader was not able to convince a rebelling nation to cross over.

Now, forty years later,  it was time to face the challenge of crossing the river again. Moses had passed away. Now it was up to Joshua. Yeah, he had been mentored and coached by Moses. He was Moses’ heir apparent. Moses had actually commissioned Joshua as the next leader in front of the nation just before he had passed away. Still, Joshua did not have a track record of success yet. He didn’t have his own public accomplishments for the nation to look to for confidence in his leadership.  He had not been raised and trained in Pharoh’s palace. He had not seen God face to face as Moses had.

As the time approached to cross the river,  I can only imagine Joshua in the darkness and quietness of the night, wondering if he can actually do it –  “How can I lead the nation across the river if Moses couldn’t?”   Moses was better equipped, more training, several personal encounters with God. Joshua was not Moses and did not have his own personal track record of success…

But God knew his heart. God knew what was going on in his mind. God understood his self-doubt… his insecurities… maybe he even experience a version of imposter syndrome. God stepped in and spoke to Joshua as recorded in Joshua chapter 1.

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua, son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land, I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

This was Joshua’s first public challenge, his first opportunity as the leader. Daunting… overwhelming… highly visible… high risk… yes, he was afraid. But God had spoken to him... God had commanded him. BE STRONG…. BE COURAGEOUS… DO NOT BE AFRAID…. DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED…. How could this be true? Because THE LORD YOUR GOD WILL BE WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.

I’m headed into surgery this week for a hamstring/hip repair this week. Something I’ve not dealt with in the past. I will be “grounded” for 4-6 weeks post-surgery in a leg/knee brace with no weight bearing on my right leg… The surgeon has prepped me for what to expect related to pain management. I’m preparing  to “BE STILL” for another 4+ weeks. It has already been over 3 weeks. No travel, limited activities, six months for full recovery. This is hard for a guy who is on the go all the time. I want to get things done. I’m not the guy that sits around much.

My challenge is the opposite of Joshua’s. Joshua’s command was to rise up, to gather the tribes and go - to march across the river- to prepare for battle. My challenge? My challenge is to BE STILL… to rest… to be out of the public eye... To spend time reflecting. My challenge to find ways to remain active spiritually, emotionally, relationally, mentally, while remaining STILL physically for the weeks ahead. How will I handle this challenge? I can look to the mentors in my life who have faced their challenges for inspiration, for examples… but ultimately, it comes down to this…. How will I handle my challenge? Can I Be strong? Can I be courageous? Can I overcome fear of the unknown or the fear of the known? Will I become discouraged, or will I overcome discouragement?

What about you? What challenges are you faced with? How are you coping with what lies ahead for you? You probably are not faced with surgery and a lengthy post-surgery recovery. It could be that you are faced with a much more challenging issue than me. Your challenge could have much greater life altering outcomes than the physical pain and inconvenience of my reconstructive surgery and recovery. Don’t allow your circumstances to discourage or paralyze you. Don’t allow how others around you have responded to their challenges to affect how you respond to yours. Don’t allow their degree of success or failure in meeting their challenge intimate you.

Let me encourage you,  reread the story of Joshua again, and BE STILL, and her the voice of the Holy Spirit whispering in your ear…

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Blessings,

Stan Reiff