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The Battle For Courage

(Joshua 1:1-11)

There are many blessings and promises God has for all of us as believers. They are both corporate and individual to us and our children. However, to possess some of these blessings and promises the Lord wants to give us, we're going to have to fight for them. For example, a great marriage is a blessing from God, however, if you want to have one you are going to have to fight for it. If you want your children to have a great relationship with you and the Lord you are going to have to fight for it. If you want to keep from being destroyed by the sexual temptations of life, you are going to have to fight for it. If you want to become everything Jesus died for you to become, your going to have to fight for it.

The world, the Devil and our own fleshly appetites are occupied territory. They are not just going to bow down and let us have every plan, purpose and promise that the Lord has waiting for us. These enemies are standing in the way of the promise lands of our lives that Jesus has for us to possess. It's going to take courage to stand up and fight in the face of fear. Daily pressures of life can instill anxiety, doubt, uncertainty as we live our lives for God and head up our families.

The word courage means the capacity to meet danger or difficulty with firmness. It also means bravery of the heart. When we ventured out from underneath our parents rule, we began to take the reigns of our own life. It was now time for us to become the leaders of our own lives and the lives of our families. Without God however, our efforts as men and leaders are extremely limited. As we stand up in the face of fear and uncertainty with faith in the word of God, believing what he said and still says to you and me, He goes before us and prepares the land he has given us to possess.

The word discourage means to take out courage or the absence of courage. It can draw the life right out of a person. We all know people who have the "gift of discouragement." The word encouragement means to put courage into. That’s why many times in Scripture we are commanded to encourage one another. It actually pumps life into the hearer. This is the job of a great coach, boxing trainer, a baseball catcher etc, to get the most out of the athlete, fighter, or pitcher by instruction and encouragement when they have a hard time believing in themselves. God Himself is the biggest encourager in our lives. He is always for us and not against us.

Joshua was a needy recipient of the encouragement of God. The pressure of leading the people of Israel into the promise land fell on him. His leader Moses was dead. He was the one who bore all the responsibility and pressure for leading. Now Joshua wasn't sure that he was up to the task. Filled with doubt, fear, and anxiety, as anyone of us would have been in his shoes, he needed the pep talk of pep talks. We read in Joshua chapter 1 vs 1-11 that God reminds Joshua that Moses is dead. Now stop meditating on it because it won't do anything but hold you back from what I want to bless you with. He told him that everywhere he places his feet will be his because I'm giving it to you. No one will be able to stand up to you. As I was with Moses, I'll be with you, and I'll never leave you or forsake you. Don't turn to the right or to the left, which means avoid distractions that will keep you away from the mission. Stay in my word and it will guide you and make you successful. There is only one catch to all this. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified or be discouraged even though there are enemies occupying the land there, I've already made up the eviction notice. You get your army together and go serve it to them.

Notice the Lord said BE strong and courageous. Not FEEL but BE. It is a decision we make. Remember the word courage means the capacity to meet danger or difficulty with firmness. The children of Israel were wonderfully blessed in that new land. But they had to fight for it even though God gave it to them. Enemies don't give us anything for free. With the power and authority of Jesus Christ we need to advance against the Devils strongholds that are occupied in our lives and the lives of our loved ones. That is why there is such a battle for our courage. God told Joshua to be strong and courageous and not to fear 3 times in 9 verses. If we are busy looking to the right and the left and not continuing in the His word, it will be difficult to BE strong and courageous to face and conquer the enemies in our lives.

What has the Lord told you to possess? A better marriage? A new career? A better relationship with your kids? Maybe a ministry you have been thinking about. How about a stronghold in the sexual area a substance abuse. Get mad at the enemy for occupying the promises and blessings of God in your life. In the name of Jesus stand up and BE strong and courageous in those areas. Remember, discouragement will take away your will to fight. It will keep you from advancing every time. Shake it off and declare to the Lord I'm standing up and going for the victory in your name Jesus. He said in John 14:25-27 "Peace I leave you; my peace i give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid." Anxiety and fear will rob your peace and your will to fight every time. Don't lose the battle for your courage. It is the key to possessing the promises God has for you and your family .

Peace,

Paul Soucy