The next generation - Strong and Courageous

""Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith:Be men of courage, be strong."                        1 Corinthians 16: 13 

We have recorded in scripture the history of the three generations of Joshua. We are told that Joshua and his people served the Lord faithfully. They were a committed people, a people of conviction, and a praying people who saw great miracles happen. 

What was it about this first generation that made them so committed to the Lord? If we look back to the first chapter of Joshua we can find the answer. Moses has died and God has given the responsibility of leading the people of Israel to Joshua.  What God relates to Joshua in these next verses, I believe, is one of several characteristics we need to relay to the next generation.

Verse six of chapter one states: "Be strong and courageous,"  What does it mean to be strong and courageous? It must be important for God relayed this to Joshua four different times. The latter part of verse six gives us the answer: "because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them." In other words, God had a plan and a purpose for Joshua. We must understand, God also has a plan and a purpose for each one of us. It may not be to lead a great nation. It may be something simple, but it will be God's plan for our life. It may be to just be committed and obedient. 

Whatever God calls us to do, we will need the same strength and courage to carry it out and to live the life God has called us to live. I have a good friend who has been in our Bible study for over fifteen years. Ed Davis is one of the most faithful and committed men I know. He has a sweet, tender heart. I love to hear Ed pray. He never fails to ask God to give us the "strength and courage" to meet the request he is asking of God. For Ed now, it is to give him the strength and courage to come back from a recent stroke. 

For Joshua, it required that he be able to see the vision God had and to be willing to step out into that vision. It is to be willing to take a risk with no fear of failure. To not do so is to play it safe and risk reaching our full potential. We miss out on God's plan for our life. Several older men were asked what they would do different if they could go back in their life. One of the top answers was that they would take more risk.

Being strong and courageous also requires that we face resistance and criticism head on. For a lot of men, a little resistance means throwing in the towel. We fear what others opinions of us might be if we continue and fail. For others, a little criticism will tank the strongest of men. No one likes to be criticized or have their plans criticized. But both of these are a part of living a life for God. Think about Noah and the resistance and criticism he must have faced. Persistence is a natural quality required if we are to be strong and courageous. There will be times we will want to cave in, but we must be willing to stand, and stand with the strength and courage God will provide. 

There is also a confidence in men of strength and courage. It is a self confidence, but it comes from a strong faith and trust in God. It is a supernatural strength and courage that permeates a man's personality. Joshua had this quality. We see in the last verses of chapter one when Joshua shared the vision with God's people that the people rallied behind him with absolute confidence and support. Joshua was a man of commitment, determination, conviction, and belief in God. He was a man of strength and courage. I want to pass on to my grandchildren the strength and courage of Joshua.