The courage Command

 Ever been so afraid to take a position you feel is greater than you?
Picture Joshua, an ordinary guy under the leadership of Moses for so long. I am sure he didn't ever imagine himself being called up to fit in Moses' shoes. "o boy! how am I suppose to lead this people to the promise land?"  he murmured  when God asked him to take over from where Moses left.
The fear of having to lead that huge number of people to a land that was promised gave him jitters but then God looks over his shoulder and says “Joshua, you must be strong and brave! You must lead these people so that they can take their land..." (Joshua 1:6)

Hearing that you should be strong and courageous is a lofty notion. It’s a pretty idea. It’s something nice to hear. But God changed the game and changed the tone of this concept in verse 9 of Joshua 1. He says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.”

Command?

So God, let me get this straight… Up there with, ‘Do not steal. Do not kill. Do not murder’… You’re COMMANDING that I be strong and courageous?

I always thought this verse was a suggestion. It’s not a verse you see right below the 10 commandments. God is so adamant on us being strong and courageous that He made it a command. God is so invested on us getting over our fears and insecurities that He doesn’t just command strength and bravery, but he backs up us His command with His attendance in our lives. He can command us to be courageous because He’s the insurance policy on our success. God is not encouraging us to be strong because we’re great, but because He’s great.
Remember he added an assurance in verse 5 "Just as I was with Moses, I will be with you. No one will be able to stop you all your life. I will not abandon you. I will never leave you"

So here’s some really good news: there’s never been a better command for you to follow. Most commands feel like things you can’t do. This is a command that frees you up to do more than you’ve ever done in your life.
The reality for you and I is that when it comes to strength and bravery, it’s not a suggestion… it’s a command. You don’t have any other choice but to live your life courageous.

 "courage is FEAR that has said its prayers" -  Maya Angelou