Suffering: Warfare, Like Joshua

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9 (NKJV)

Within Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1, God tells Joshua (and repeats it four more times) to 'Be strong.' Why? This noble man was suffering from fear.

During their 40-year wilderness trip, he courageously supported Moses. But when Moses announced his retirement, Joshua had enormous shoes to fill.

Even more, he was called to wage huge wars in the Promised Land's fortified cities.* How did Joshua overcome his fears?

He obeyed God and moved into the fight. Therein, he ignored the fear, SO FEAR LEFT! Because fear is best fought by bold action. Like bullies, fear backs down when heroes rise.

SIDEBAR: My dad was a hero in World War II, flying and surviving terrible odds. When I asked him how he won his medals, I was expecting stories of glory. Instead, he offered 2 words: “I survived.” **

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: 

Except when it warns of pending danger (so your senses come into sharp focus)…

  • Fear is a demon, rising from hellfire, whispering through witless accomplices, evil men, or the savagery of war.

  • Fear is a bomb, blasting on news channels, multiplying every scary report through dark, terror-stoking publicity.

  • Fear is a weight, pressing down on our chests, pushing people into panic attacks, where molehills become bigger than mountains.

  • Fear is a slow fire, burning destinies, consuming the dreams of stars who should rise, through naysaying kin and whispers of doubt.

Actors, models, and talent for Christ: 

You’re God’s shining fleet of fighter pilots, flying far higher and faster than fear. Entertainment needs godly daredevils. You’re commissioned, and Satan can't touch you.

'Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you' (Luke 10:19).

Suffering: Warfare, Like Joshua (Part 3)

* Bible Verses with God's 'Be strong' Command: https://www.biblegateway.com/quicksearch/?search=be+strong&version=NKJV&searchtype=phrase

* Short article: Does God’s promise to Joshua and Israel in Joshua 1:9 apply to us? | GotQuestions.org

** Obituary of John Earle 'Jack' Lewis: John Lewis Obituary (2010) - Charleston, SC - Charleston Post & Courier

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God! We’re ALL called to be actors (action stars) for Jesus. We’re ALL called to models of Jesus, and we ALL have gifts, talents, and callings from God–  to multiply them in the world for His glory.

P.S. NO DEVOTION, PREACHER, or SERMON… can begin to replace personal time in the Bible. I wholeheartedly and clear-headedly recommend READING THE BIBLE DAILY..

WARNING: Don’t focus on favorite verses, because out of context, they’re often misinterpreted. I plead with you to READ AT LEAST 1 BIBLE CHAPTER DAILY. How long does it take? An average of 5 to 10 minutes!

Carey Arban