DEUTERONOMY 31:7-8 – Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

The world needs to see and hear bold, compassionate, and courageous Christians proclaiming the Gospel of the Lord Jesus and living the Gospel of the Lord Jesus. Gripped with fear, uncertainty, and hopelessness, unbelievers are looking to anything and anyone to give them courage, certainty, and hope. In such a culture, what a great time to be a Christian! Instead of us hunkering down in fear of what is happening in the world, we live in such an opportunistic time for the Gospel! All we need is to be what Moses commanded Joshua in today’s scripture–Be strong and courageous. And here is a heart-stirring truth about commands in the Bible. When God gives us a command, He also gives us the power to obey it. It is the power found in His promises. Remember, we live by faith and that means the whole of the Christian life from start to finish.

In today’s scripture, we find two promises which are two reasons why we should be courageous Christians. In the historical setting, these promises were given by Moses to Joshua for encouragement as he assumes his new challenging leadership role – leading God’s people into the promised land. The wise leader Moses and wiser God knew Joshua needed this instruction. His task was daunting with a lot of dangers tempting him to fear. Our tasks of proclaiming the Gospel in a godless world and living out the gospel among godless people is equally daunting and tempts us to cower in fear as well. But the promises of Joshua are also for us. They enable us to be courageous Christians.

First, we may be courageous because God promises to lead us where He commands us – It is the Lord who goes before you. Let this truth encourage us to step out in bold obedience to the Great Commission because He who is the Great Commission is not pushing us along but leading us along. He goes in front of, not lagging in the rear of, us. This is power enough to make us courageous to live for Christ

The second promise and reason to be a courageous Christian is the companionship of the Lord Jesus as we represent Him in the world by Word and deed–He will not leave you or forsake you. He that has saved us and dwells in us is also the One who will never desert us. We are not on our own when it comes to being salt and light in a decaying and dying world. He is not only directing us but walking close with us. “Never alone” are two of the most powerful fear-destroying words a Christian ever realizes in his or her walk with the Lord.

Courageous Christianity. The world needs to see it. We can live it, not in the strength of self, but in the promises of Him who said, “I will lead You and be with You.” Now those are words of power leading to courage.

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for granting me Your power and Presence enabling me not to fear anything.”

QUOTE: “God’s promises of His power and presence ensures we may obey His commands not to be afraid.”

Because of Him,

Pastor Jim