Be of Good Courage
“Be of good courage” (Josh. 1:9)!
What is your first reaction to that rather cheery and downright optimistic command from scripture? Be of good courage! No qualifiers or precursors (though the justification that follows—“for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”—is about as strong as it gets), but simply an instruction to gird up, buck up, and keep your chin up!
It sounds great, but how does it mix with the reality of your world today?
This verse was our daughter Hope’s verse of the year last year, and she recited it every morning. Many mornings, the question I posed for you above is the one that would run through my mind as she recited.
I want to be optimistic, but death and destruction are at my doorstep.
I want courage, but the things around me are downright scary.
I know You say You are with me, but it sure feels like the enemy is closing in.
On and on it would go. My thought life was absolutely robbing me of my peace (and to be honest, it is something I still have to guard against).
Can you relate? When you hear, “Be of good courage,” does your mind immediately wander to the very many reasons in your life to not be courageous? If so, today’s reminder is for you, and it is this:
God’s courage, God’s refreshing, and God’s rest is time and time again offered first to the weary!
Seriously! To be clear, God’s saving grace is for everyone and His desire is that none would perish (2 Pet. 3:9). But His courage, refreshing, and rest is rushed first to those who are weary:
“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint” (Jer. 31:25).
"He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake" (Ps. 23:3).
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
“He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Is. 40:29-31).
These are but a few of the times God expresses an understanding that you are weak and weary. Far from being unaware of the weight of your burdens, He knows them because He bore them! It is not the absence of weariness or affliction that allows you to be courageous, but rather the fact that His restoration and refreshing is designed for your place and time of weariness.
He knows the world you live in is not at peace.
He knows there is a battle waging for your heart and mind, and that of your family.
He knows you feel surrounded on all sides and are weary from the battle.
He knows, and He has prioritized His strength for exactly those moments, which is why He calls you to be of good courage!
Your weariness is real, as are the challenges you will confront today. But the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, so be of good courage!