Be strong and very courageous

Examples of courageous leadership are the stuff of legends and movies. In the film Braveheart, the portrayal of William Wallace by Mel Gibson, wallace’s stirring words to his fearful followers, quaking in the presence of the English army, “They may take away our lives, but they’ll never take away our freedom,” were coupled with a willingness to lead his men into battle. His courage inspired and fortified the resolve of his countrymen ultimately leading to a routing of the English forces.

Our acts of courage may not be so grandiose or visible but they are still fundamental to being an effective leader.

Joshua 1:6

God gives Joshua a promise: "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you." Then immediately he gives him a command: "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them" (Joshua 1:5-6).

Is faith just the believing the promise? Yes. But it is believing it enough that we are strong and courageous when problems come and the obstacles appear -- and they always do.

Faith requires courage and strength, because only when we exercise courage and strength do we maintain our belief in any real way. If, at the first problem, we cave in and give up, we don't have faith, we have unbelief.

We all struggle with this. None of us is immune. Joshua was filled with God's Spirit, had worked alongside Moses, and had been on the mountain with God, and still needed this kind of encouragement.

There are many reasons why leaders/people limit their growth is because of fear. Fear of people, fear that people won't approve, fear that you'll fail, fear that you'll make a fool out of yourself, fear that you aren't strong enough, fear that God will let you down. Fear.

All the lies of the enemy stand tall today remember how Joshua must have felt when God said "Moses my servent is dead  now rise and take my people over this jordan."  

Today remember Gods words in Joshua 1 v 6 and reminded again in v 9 be strong and very courageous.

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