I have great admiration for Joshua. He went into battle many times at the command of God. He was with Moses as he carried the Ten Commandments down from Mt. Sinai. He was a faithful spy who brought back a favorable report of the land of Canaan. He met the captain of the Lord’s hosts and was told to take off his shoes, for the place where he was standing was holy. He was a man filled with wisdom and the Holy Spirit. God told Moses to lay his hands on Joshua in the sight of all the people and anoint him as the next leader. Joshua was given great honor and responsibility.

Recently as I was reading about Joshua, I began to notice a pattern in what God and Moses both had to say about him. God said, “Be strong and of a good courage . . . Only be thou strong and very courageous” (Josh. 1:6, 7). And God instructed Moses, “But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him” (Deut. 3:28). Could it be that Joshua wasn’t a naturally courageous person? It appears that God knew he needed a lot of encouragement. But look at all the valiant deeds Joshua accomplished. He held on to the promises of God and didn’t let fear paralyze him. And he led Israel into the Promised Land.

As Edie and I prepare to cross over to Papua New Guinea and enter a land where we will fight spiritual battles, we find it encouraging to read how Joshua overcame his fear and was triumphant by trusting the promises of God.

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