Do not be afraid or discouraged!

“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.” (Josh.1:9 ESV)

Both a command with a promise

The above passage was what God said to Joshua right after Moses had died, and he was now the new leader responsible for leading the Hebrew children into the promise land after they had wandered forty years in the wilderness. It was a very scary assignment. The land was occupied by fierce enemies, including giants (Num. 13:32-33). God gave Joshua both a command and a promise. He was commanded to be strong, courageous, unafraid, and not discouraged. And he was promised that God would be with him wherever he went! Imagine how Joshua must have felt when God said this to him.

The above Bible passage has been used by many Christians but some point out that this was said to Joshua and not meant for us today. Yes, I believe it is certainly true that God did say this to Joshua. But, it’s also true that these things do very much apply to us, too. We’re told this many times elsewhere in the Bible.

Here are just a few examples.

“Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who hope in the Lord.” (Psalm 21:34 ESV)

“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Cor. 16:13)

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” (Eph. 6:10)

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27 ESV)

“For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, Abba! Father!’” (Rom. 8:15 ESV)

Therefore

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV)

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.” (1 Pet. 5:6-7)

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:38-39 ESV)