Be Strong and Courageous!

I am still hanging out with my friend Joshua. Do you do that? As you are reading the Bible, do you think, “Oh what would this person or that person have been like as a friend?” As I read about the different characters in the Bible, it is easy for me to feel like I am there with them, as the Lord is speaking to them and through them.

I have made no secret of the fact that for this gal fear is my greatest weakness. Perhaps that is why I have enjoyed spending so much time in Deuteronomy and Joshua among many other books of the Bible. These specifically remind me over and over again “Lyndy be strong and very courageous.” “Lyndy do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

The name “Joshua” was originally Hoshea, meaning salvation, or Jehoshua, the Lord’s salvation. Joshua is called the servant of Jehovah, one by whom God issued His orders and by whom He accomplished His purposes--God’s prime minister.

This book goes on where Deuteronomy leaves off. It is a continuation of the history of the chosen people.

The chosen people were led out of bondage by Moses, and led into the Promised Land by Joshua.

Moses passed through the Red Sea.
Moses led Israel from bondage.
Moses gave a vision of faith.
Moses told of an inheritance.

Joshua completes what Moses began! God never leaves His work unfinished. The great Craftsman always has another tool sharpened and ready for use.

Joshua passed over Jordon.
Joshua led Israel into blessing.
Joshua led them into a life of faith.
Joshua led them into possession.
We see realization in Joshua.

God had been preparing Joshua for years. He was born in slavery in Egypt, but God led him out and made him a colaborer of Moses. Yet, remember he was the one that was almost stoned to death because he urged the children of Israel to advance into Canaan forty years earlier. (Numbers 14: 6-10)

If you want, a real feel for the history of the Bible, then to me Joshua is great. We read about conquest of the Promised Land in chapters 1 through 12 and occupation of the Promised Land in chapters 13 through 24. Good stuff you don’t want to miss.

We first read about Rahab here and how she helped the spies. Little did we know at this point, that God would use her in such a mighty way and that she, a prostitute, would be among the forebears of Jesus. See Matthew 1:5. I find it comforting to know that she is not called “the prostitute,” for the stigma of her past is overshadowed by the honor given her by God. By choosing her a Gentile sinner (wow just like me) God confirms that He is the Savior of all peoples, for all time and for all our circumstances.

The devil would have had Rahab believing that nothing good could possibly come from her life. But her life demonstrates the benefits of believing God instead and He gave her a completely new life and set no limits on her potential.

How comforting to know that no matter what our dirty, sinful past is like, with God absolutely nothing is impossible and He sets no limits on our future potential based on our past mistakes.