Nougat 4

What does strength look like in the life of a believer? Is it a ‘buff’ body? Or the capacity to lift weights? Or the ability to pass those commercial endurance tests? Today’s Holy Nougat invites us to think differently.

““Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” ‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Be Strong

Before even looking at the Hebrew or the background to the text, we recognize that strength is paired with courage. So we realize that at least in this instance, a ‘buff’ physique might not be very helpful. One might presume that it’s something that helps us to persevere, as courage is equally necessary.

When we recall that this is Joshua’s story, at the passing of the mantle of responsibility, we may recall that Joshua was already established as a warrior. But Moses died and the mantle of leadership was passed to him. Strength may thus pertain to leadership skills needed for getting into the Land of Promise.

Given that the Hebrew text actually begins with the call to be courageous then strong, it’s worth considering that being courageous is the determinant of being strong. In this context courageous alludes to being bold and alert as a leader. Joshua’s strength is thus connected to being bold and alert. The transliterations of strength in Hebrew, include ‘prevail’, ‘make one’s self secure’, and ‘hold one’s own’. I believe that these complement the definitions of courage, and this is what God desired of Joshua.

I am drawn to Jesus’ words to the disciples as the more fulsome meaning of being strong and courageous. Matthew 10:16 tells us that in sending the disciples out on ‘work experience’, Jesus said: I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. This combined being alert, bold, prevailing and making self secure while holding one’s own against the enemy within and without. Joshua faced both – the different tribes and nations they needed to overcome and the Children of Israel who often desired to revert to life in Egypt.

As believers, we face Joshua’s situations in different ways throughout our lives. Enemies without and within, need for boldness and alertness as we discern and execute the tasks God assigned us. Our ‘Moses’ may not be dead – we may still have the benefit of a human mentor. However, when the work is to be done, let’s first fix our minds on the One Who keeps us and is able to prevent us from falling. As Joshua’s generation, we overcome in the name of Jesus. And like David we need to remember that our strength comes from the Lord.

May our strength and courage never fail as we focus on God

—

May all we seek be found in Christ