Deuteronomy 31 – Strength and courage

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed."

And the LORD commissioned Joshua the son of Nun and said, "Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. I will be with you."

Deuteronomy 31:6, 7-8, 23 (ESV)

There are certain situations where we feel strong and courageous. There are others where we feel weak, inadequate, and timid. Most of these feelings are based on levels of proficiency and experience – “I will make bold moves in business, because I have savvy and experience in this area.”

Here Joshua is called to be strong and courageous as he leads Israel. While one can be groomed for this situation, it is a monumental task, both in size and importance. Three times in this chapter he is told to be strong and courageous. This begs the question, “Why would he be strong and courageous?”

Common wisdom would say that his training, prior experience, and public appointment should provide the basis for this confidence. Even if he didn’t have that, we are told to “dig deep” or “believe in yourself” for this confidence. Being a person with many faults and weaknesses, I am nervous when I am told to “trust in myself.” I know myself and there are many times when I have good reason to be afraid. Our text today, however, provides a better foundation for strength and confidence.

God calls us to be bold in many areas, but He also tells us that He will be with us. In Jesus’ last statement in the book of Matthew, He tells the disciples to make more disciples. His concluding statement is that He will always be with them. In Hebrews 13:5-6, there is a similar assurance regarding the Lord’s presence. In all of Joshua’s exhortations, there is a promise, a promise of God’s presence.

Our confidence is not in ourselves, our abilities, or our experiences. Our confidence is solely on the promise that the Lord is with us. Our God is near to us. Our Lord is with us. The Spirit indwells us.

For me, the question then turns on what I’m doing. Surely this confidence must be associated with what God is doing in my life. Having God is with me, does not mean that He will let me win the lottery or get first place at the US Open. I can be strong and courageous in all that God has called me to do, not everything my tainted desires want to do. Joshua was being asked to conquer fortified cites and slay giants. We are being called to glorify God – to love and follow Christ and to make disciples of people everywhere. These are all tasks that are impossible without the power and presence of God.

This passage is comforting and refining. The comfort comes from the promise of His presence – “The Lord is my helper, I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Heb 13:6). The refinement comes from His will. I am not supposed to spend my life pursuing the trinkets and baubles of this world. I am to follow the Prince of Peace and He is with me to the very end.