Joshua 1:1-9, After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying:  “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses.  From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the River Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your territory.  No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.  Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  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.”

The word courage is defined; the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.  Middle English states, “What is in ones mind or thoughts.” The word ‘strong’ isn’t just about physical strength, but strength of mind.  My thoughts on this is that God was telling Joshua to fortify his mind and trust completely in His ability to deliver on His promises.

Think about it for just a moment if you will. Let’s say your car breaks down and you have no money to get it fixed. Fear sets in, right? You begin to think, “What am I going to do? How will I get to work? Where will the money come from? My credit is shot!” Why does that happen? Because your trust was in something that is gone-money. But say your mind was fortified, strong and trusted completely in God. How would this same scenario play out then? “Father, I thank you that your Word says that You supply all my needs according to your riches, not mine. Thank you that you give me wisdom and favor in everything I face. There is nothing too hard for you.

“I thank you for my car, but I’m not dependent on that as my source. You alone are my Provider and my heart trusts in You. Nothing is too hard for you! You are a God of Your Word and I thank you that my steps are ordered by You. You take great delight in the plans You have for me. Great will be my peace and undisturbed composure. Even when the world falls apart around me, my hope is in You. Thank you for your provision in every area of my life. You are my Father, thank You for loving me.”

Do you see that? Our fear comes from our inability to control of fix things. But our God is well able to keep what we commit to Him. When we place all of our trust in Him instead of searching for this way and that way, this man or that man, this doctor or that doctor, this bank or that bank, we are transferring the control to someone much bigger then we are.

Father, make me strong in Your Word and courageous to trust in You. I will always fail if I try to do it all myself, but You never fail. Thanks for speaking to my heart this morning. I love to listen to Your voice, it’s music to my ears. It calms and soothes my spirit, teaches me truth and shows me the right paths to take. Without You I would be lost with no course or purpose. I owe you everything. I am Yours, Jesus. Amen