Be Strong and Courageous
When the American Indians roamed the prairies they encountered many dangers. Tribes were at war with other tribes. Often the environment was inhospitable; food was hard to come by and wild animals threatened their existence. Many Indian Braves thought that by eating the heart of a buffalo their hearts would grow and they would become braver and even more courageous.
Joshua encourages God’s people to be strong and very courageous. His basis is not the food they eat but the God who has provided their food. Joshua’s encouragement is that God will be with them wherever they go. God will keep his promises!
Joshua therefore encourages them to trust God, obey God’s word and follow God’s ways. Sometimes our world causes us to question and doubt and to make choices that deep down we know are wrong. We need to be strong and very courageous and choose God’s way because of faith in his goodness, faithfulness and power.
Stephen Semenchuk