“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
What’s the most frightening thing you’ve ever had to do? In the case of Israel in Joshua’s day, they had to enter a land that was highly fortified, populated with great armies, and they had to take it. God had promised this land to them (Deuteronomy 1:8), and their conquest was his way of judging the horrific wickedness of the Canaanite peoples who dwelt there (Deuteronomy 7:2). But that didn’t mean it was an easy matter. Just forty years prior at Kadesh, the parents of Joshua’s generation had refused to enter the land because of fear (Deuteronomy 1:28). Now, after decades of wilderness wandering, Israel had another chance to take the land. But if this opportunity to take the land was to turn out differently from the last time, Israel must “be strong and courageous” as they never were before. They needed to “not fear or be in dread of them.”
If we are to be strong in the Lord, we must have courage. If we are going to obey God and follow Him, it will take more courage than anything we have faced. Secular reason sees a Christian on his knees and laughs at the feeble posture God’s child assumes as his enemies descends upon him. Only divine insight can perceive what mighty preparation by prayer the Christian is preparing for battle. Having courage is the only way that we can live a victorious life.