Be Strong and Courageous
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
What is the meaning of Joshua 1:9?
The book of Joshua tells the story of the Israelites' conquest of the Promised Land under the leadership of Joshua, who succeeded Moses as leader of the Israelites. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, for their rebellion against God. They had been afraid of the Canaanites, and rejected God’s calling to enter the promised land. Now the time of their judgment is coming to a close and Joshua is preparing to lead the Israelites into the land that God had promised them.
Once again, the Israelites are about to face many challenges and battles. God tells them to guard against their fear and to put their faith in Him.
Joshua 1:9 says, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua encourages the people of Israel to trust in God's leadership and to be strong and courageous in the face of adversity.
The Example of Bonhoeffer
Dietrich Bonhoeffer exemplified the teachings of Joshua 1:9 by being strong and courageous, and by trusting in God's guidance and leadership, even in the face of great adversity.
Bonhoeffer opposed the Nazi regime and was a vocal critic of their persecution of Jews. Despite the danger this put him in, he chose to stand up against the atrocities being committed. Bonhoeffer once said, “Silence in the face of evil is itself evil: God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act." His strong faith and commitment to doing what was right, even in the face of great personal risk, is a clear example of being strong and courageous as commanded in Joshua 1:9.
Bonhoeffer was also a strong advocate for the marginalized and the oppressed. He believed that Christians had a responsibility to speak out against injustice and to work for the betterment of society.
We too can being strong and courageous in the midst of adversity, relying on God’s power and presence to help us. Here are a few ideas:
Speak out against injustice and oppression, even when it's difficult or dangerous.
Work for the betterment of society through peaceful and non-violent means.
Stand up for the marginalized and oppressed, and to be a voice for the voiceless.
Foster a deep faith in God, which gives us the courage and strength to do what is right, even in the face of great adversity.
By following these steps, we can emulate Bonhoeffer's example of faith, courage, and commitment to Christ, striving to be a faithful servant of God, who is obedient to His commands and trusts in His guidance.
Prayer for the Day
Heavenly Father,
I come to you today asking for your strength and courage in the face of the challenges that I am facing. I trust in your promises that you will never leave me nor forsake me.
Give me the power to face my fears and doubts with confidence in your unfailing love. Give me the wisdom to navigate through difficult situations and the faith to trust in your plan for my life. Give me the courage to stand firm in my beliefs and to persevere through any obstacle that may come my way.
Thank you for being my rock and my refuge.
In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
