Pass It On
I’m all for encouragement. I love to encourage others, and I have no problem receiving a healthy dose of motivation. After all, who doesn’t love a good pep rally (other than my husband, that is)?
I hope Joshua was a fan of pep rallies because the Lord obviously thought he needed some encouragement. Before his passing, Moses called Joshua and all the children of Israel together for a final pep-talk. Joshua was the next leader, and after having spent the last forty years with this murmuring bunch, I can imagine he wasn’t exactly eager for the position. God knew that, so over the course of two chapters, the Lord (through different mouths, including His own) issues this command to Joshua seven times: “Be strong and of a good courage.”
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. - Deuteronomy 31:6
And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the Lord hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. - Deuteronomy 31:7
And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee. - Deuteronomy 31:23
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. - Joshua 1:6
Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest. - Joshua 1:7
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. - Joshua 1:9
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage. - Joshua 1:18
It seems strange and almost blasphemous to think of the Lord as our biggest cheerleader, but that’s precisely what He is. He cheers us on through the fiercest battles in our lives. He urges us to be strong and even gives us the strength we need. He encourages us with songs in the night. Time after time, He gives us what we need most—the assurance that we can do all things through Christ.
Now, check this out. In Joshua 10, the Israelites were attacked by a league of five kings and their kingdoms. Though greatly outnumbered, Joshua had no fear. This time, it was his turn to be the cheerleader.
“And Joshua said unto them, Fear not, nor be dismayed, be strong and of good courage: for thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom ye fight.”
Be strong and of good courage. What familiar words! I wonder how he came up with such a great pep talk. (Wink, wink!). Joshua took God’s words of encouragement to heart, but he didn’t stop there—he passed them on to others. And God expects us to do the same.
“Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
Have you heard an encouraging song lately? Pass it on. Did God recently show you a verse of Scripture that brought you joy and comfort? Share it with a brother or sister in need. Has God done something wonderful for you? Tell someone about it. After all, what’s the point of a pep rally if we don’t get everyone involved?