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)

We all know that God’s commandments are orders for us to obey for our own good. However, there is more about His commandments than the necessity for obedience. This is demonstrated in the command that God gave Joshua in the verse above.

The Lord commanded Joshua to be strong and of good courage. He was taking over from Moses and he had a tremendous task ahead of him. If we look at it from the surface, it appears as every ordinary command that the LORD gives us, that is, it was just an order for Joshua to obey. He had to do everything he could to be strong and very courageous. However, looking deeper into the command reveals an amazing spiritual reality. It is hidden in the words “have not I commanded thee?”

The LORD was telling Joshua “is it not I, the LORD, who is telling you that you should be strong and of good courage?”. He wanted Joshua to realize WHO was giving that specific command. Those words were not just an order for Joshua to obey. They were a declaration to Joshua TO BE what is being commanded! God was fundamentally speaking forth the Word to Joshua TO BE STRONG AND VERY COURAGEOUS! It was a word of empowerment as much as it was for obedience.

It was not something that Joshua merely had to try to obey. Those words empowered him to do what God commanded him to do! This is the blessed state of the believer in Christ. God’s commands to us are not just for obedience but they have power in them to strengthen us to do what God is saying as we receive them in faith!

MEDITATE

Why was courage so crucial in the accomplishment of Joshua’s mission?

APPLY THE WORD

There is power in the words God has commanded us to make us able to do what He has instructed. His commands are not only orders to obey for our own good but they empower us to do. Do not be worried about how you will obey God. His Word comes with the ability to do so!

PRAY

Thank the LORD for empowering us to do what He has commanded us. 

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