Courage – Joshua 1:6-7

1. Courage – Joshua 1:6-7 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

2. Definitions • Courage: moral strength to do what is right and to do it in the face of trials and difficulties, and to withstand those problems still doing what is right. • Encourage: to inspire with courage or to increase one’s courage; to give help or hope to one who is facing dangers and trials. • Discourage: to hinder courage.

3. Example of Job • Job Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (1:8). • Lost all worldly possessions (1:14-17). • Lost sons and daughters (1:18-19). • Not lose his great faith (1:20-22). • Lost his health (2:7-8). • Lost his wife’s encouragement (2:9-10). • Great debate begins (4:7). • Lord will vindicate his faith (19:25). Job’s faith, hope, and love in the Lord gave him the moral courage to endure this test.

4. Example of Joshua • Joshua had the had the discouraging example of the previous generation that failed for a lack of faith. • Also learned how God deals with a people of so little faith and courage. • 83.33% of spies said we can’t do it and this lack of faith spread like cancer though the whole of Israel (Num. 13:26-14:4). • Had the encouragement of Moses (Dt. 33:26-29). • Had the promise of God (Josh. 1:1-5). • His faith was not a blind faith, but one based on God’s Word (Josh. 1:6-9).

5. Courage – Joshua 1:6-7 6 Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

6. Example of Joshua Promise of God Fulfilled (Josh. 21:43-45). 43 So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. 44 The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. 45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

7. Example of Jesus Cleansed Temple (Jn. 2:13-22). • First public teaching. • Declared war on the traditions, the doctrines, and the commandments of men. • Demanded unconditional surrender to the truth. • Offered no compromise, no accommodation to error. • No unity in diversity. • Required repentance and acceptance of truth.

8. Example of Jesus Near his death (Lk. 22:39-46). • Preparing for greatest trial in his life—prayed. • Needed the encouragement of his brethren, but they fell asleep. • Where am I when my brethren need me? • Ready to endure trial (Jn. 18:3-12). • Enemies overtaken that he would approach them. • Could have escaped–endured for us (Mt. 26:53). • We are taught to expect trials (Lk. 9:21-23). • Prepared disciples for trials (Jn. 15:18-21).

9. Courage • Courage: moral strength to do what is right and to do it in the face of trials and difficulties, and to withstand those problems still doing what is right. • Encourage: to inspire with courage or to increase one’s courage; to give help or hope to one who is facing dangers and trials. • Discourage: to hinder courage. • Job • Joshua • Jesus

10. Where Do We Need Courage? • To Obey the Gospel. • To put to death old man of sin and live righteously. • To teach others. • To face opposition from family members. • To suffer for doing what is right. • To be steadfast in assembling with the Saints. • To oppose error and false teachers.

11. Sources of Discouragement: • Many reject the truth. • Wounds from family members or close friends. • Unfaithful Christians. • Hypocrites who remain in the church. • Hypercritical Christians. • Envy and strife.

12. God Provides Encouragement: • His Word (Acts 20:32). • Prayer (1 Thess. 5:17). • Help of fellow Christians. • Public Worship. • He can use me to encourage others: • Set right example. • Use tongue for good. • Hospitality. • Strive to be a Barnabas (Acts 4:36). • Faithful in worship (Heb. 10:23-25).