Success is not final; failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
― Winston S. Churchill

This year I’m listen through the Bible using the YouVersion Bible App.  It’s really cool. Anytime I’m traveling or have a bit of down time, I can take out my phone and have the Bible read to me like an audio book.  I’m listening to “The Message”, which isn’t actually a Bible translation at all, but a paraphrase in contemporary language.  I’m loving it.

I’m about a full month behind, but that doesn’t worry me.  I’ve got a couple of trips planned this year to my dad’s cabin in Tioga County and it will be easy to catch up if I listen up and back on a road trip.  Right now, I’m in the book of Joshua as Israel is right on the cusp of entering the Promise Land.

When I think of Joshua, I have a mental image of a well-seasoned warrior, kind of on the beefy side, carrying a sword, strong… you know, fearless. The kind of guy who without a thought would single-handedly storm the very mouth of hell.   So, it always surprises me when I get to the opening chapters of Joshua and find how tentative he was.  Several times God encourages, no, he commands Joshua to be brave.

From the Message:

I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul.(1:5-6)

Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” (1:9)

It seems like God went out of his way to tell Joshua to take courage. Apparently, Joshua struggled with his own sense of adequacy in accomplishing the monumental task God gave him.  And no wonder! Leading, training and resourcing 600,000 inexperienced soldiers against well-fortified cities with a battle hardened, dug in enemy would indeed be terrifying.

Similarly, being a Christian these days, takes courage.  I’m sure you’ve noticed. It’s hard to swim against the tide of popular culture today.  It’s unpleasant to be judged as old fashioned, bigoted, or out of touch because of biblical conviction.  It’s tempting to duck our head or soft-pedal an answer when we may be misunderstood or misjudged based on our response. And it’s not easy to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) to those who may be hurt by the words we say. What area of your life is demanding courage at this moment?

The good news is God doesn’t give us instructions without providing the strength to do it.  And that’s what I love about these verses.  The power to obey is wrapped up in the command to follow.  He says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:5-6 NIV). And “Be strong and courageous … for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV). Our courage is never based in our own sufficiency but is rooted in a God who both calls us to fulfill his purposes and then empowers us with his very presence. If God is standing by our side, what exactly can’t we do?

This past January, I sat with my spiritual director and prayed about a word that would shape 2022 for me.  I heard the word “offense.”  Not like, “I take offense at that,” as in being insulted or outraged. But offense, as in “taking the initiative or adopting strong action.”  This year by God’s grace both personally and in ministry, I want to be on the offense, moving with purpose and initiative into all of life and ministry.  I even put a fluorescent post-it note at my desk to remind me of God’s intention for 2022.  It’s only been three months and this year has not disappointed! I can point to several instances in multiple areas of my life which have required both courage and risk.  I haven’t always responded courageously, but more and more I am hearing God’s call to lay aside my fleshly tendencies of self-protection and tentativeness to move with Holy Spirit boldness.

Life comes at us full throttle and if we don’t meet it with God dependent, God inspired courage, we will retreat or be bowled over and miss the abundant life Jesus came to give.

Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33)

Take courage, Christian.  God is with you!