Be Strong and Courageous

Moses has just been told by God that he will not be entering the promised land, a place Israel has been looking forward to entering for 40 years.  God’s word to Moses concludes with “Be strong and courageous.”  Moses summons Joshua to tell him the news – and these are his concluding words to Joshua. 

“Be strong and courageous … the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” 

                                                                                                                   Deuteronomy 31:7a,8 

When Moses dies, God appears to Joshua and says:

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” 

                                                                                                                                      Joshua 1:7-9

There are times when it feels like we are being “got at” from every angle.  It might be a legislated change; it might be a new tax.  Being a community of faith, one that maintains its distinctiveness and is faithful to its call, seems to be an increasingly complicated undertaking.

The story between Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1, as a historical narrative of Israel’s activities, is also complicated.  The people are moving into foreign, unknown territory.  There would be temptation to throw it all in, become like those who oppose them, rather than standing up for God and His will.  There was to be temptation to dishonour God – to abandon practices of obedience to His plan, that bring glory to Him.

Although the story of Moses’ death and Joshua’s ascent to lead Israel is millennia old, it has a very contemporary ring to it.  We, as a Christian community gathering daily to do work we are convinced God has called us to, are entering uncharted territory – we live in times where the government, their officials and legislators alike, are increasingly oppositional to what we, as followers of Jesus, stand for.

God’s words of advice to Moses first, then repeated by both Moses and God to Joshua, are great words of assurance.  The God of the universe, the creator of all things, is on our side.  He is there with us; He wants us to remain faithful, equipped and ready to be His witness to a world that does not know Him. With strength and courage.  Not alone. Not ever.  With Him, and alongside each other.

Let’s take those words to heart – meditate and pray on them as we face our immediate challenges together.  As a school community, we have an opportunity to be a crowd of witnesses to God’s great provision.  As we speak that message, we hang tight to God’s call on us to be strong and courageous. In doing this together as His community, I am convinced He will bless us and provide us with previously unthought of opportunities.

Shalom.