Have Lots of Fears? Come Learn Courage from Joshua!

The Book of Joshua is one of my favorite books of the Bible. Reading it feels like taking me on a valiant adventure that closes sweetly and full of emotion. When during my quiet time I came to the final chapters of the Book of Joshua, I read them with tears falling. Moved and saddened to see the end of the struggle of a figure so influential in the life of the nation of Israel. 

Joshua is one of the most inspiring figures, especially in terms of his courage. For those of us who want to learn to be more courageous in a positive context and in line with God's will, perhaps you can study and explore the Book of Joshua more deeply.

Getting to Know the Brave One - Joshua.

What made Joshua so special? The Bible even gives one whole slot, or one book with 24 chapters, just to tell Joshua's story.

Who was Joshua? Joshua was a man from the tribe of Ephraim whose full name was Hoshea son of Nun (Numbers 13:8,16). And Moses named him Joshua. He was one of the twelve spies sent by Moses to spy out the promised land, namely Canaan.

After Moses was gone, he was the one entrusted to lead the people of Israel into the land of Canaan. Interestingly, out of the thousands who came out of Egypt, only Joshua and Caleb tasted the promised land God had promised (Numbers 14:38). Even Moses, the leader of Israel, and Aaron, the high priest, did not enter the promised land. 

Of course, Joshua was a very extraordinary figure. How could only the two of them succeed in tasting that promised land? How could he successfully lead the people of Israel to occupy the land of Canaan? What kind of courage do we need to imitate? Let's learn more.

3 Areas of Joshua's Courage

1. Dare to be Different - Dare to Stand Out Because of Faith

The Faith of Israel

As mentioned earlier, Joshua was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to scout out the land of Canaan. He and Caleb were two out of the thousands who were still alive and had the opportunity to enjoy the promised land from God. What was the reason?

After spying out the land of Canaan, this was the opinion of the other ten spies (not Joshua and Caleb) about the land. 

“We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are...” (Numbers 13:31) 

The other ten spies were intimidated by how prosperous and how large the people living there were. In the end, the whole nation of Israel began to grumble. They even planned to return to Egypt (Numbers 14:1-4).

God delivered them from Egypt, showed so many miracles as signs of His protection and His presence. Yet they still did not have faith, that this time too, God would surely save them. 

The Faith of Joshua and Caleb

A different kind of faith is what we find in Joshua and Caleb.

“The land through which we passed to spy it out is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, then He will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land flowing with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD, and do not fear the people of the land, for we shall devour them. Their protection has departed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them." Numbers 14:7-9

Joshua and Caleb were the minority in this matter. They could have joined in losing faith, become afraid, and not dared to voice their faith. In fact, Numbers 14:10 says, “All the congregation said to stone them with stones.” Yet that did not shake their faith.

It is not easy to remain steadfast in our faith in the midst of people who do not believe. When we are in the middle of a family or environment that lives contrary to God's standards, for example corruption, lack of discipline, or lying, do we dare to keep living according to the faith we believe?

Can we still stand firm when the people around us do not support us, because their way is not in accordance with the way of God? It takes courage to hold on to, fight for, and even voice our faith. Like Joshua and Caleb, do we dare to stand out because of faith? 

2. Dare to Start - Dare to Take a Step

Starting anything new is not easy. It takes courage and determination to begin. There were many things in which Joshua dared to take a step, such as:

• daring to replace Moses in leading the people of Israel
• daring to fight to occupy the land of Canaan 
• daring to cross the Jordan River by faith. 

One interesting event was when Joshua led them across the Jordan River. 

In Joshua 3:15 it is written, “As soon as those carrying the ark reached the Jordan, and the feet of the priests carrying the ark touched the water at the river's edge - the Jordan overflows all its banks during harvest season -”

God asked Joshua to lead the people of Israel across the Jordan River. However, the ark of God had to go ahead of the people in crossing. In this event, God showed His miracle again before them. Interestingly, when the feet of the priests carrying the ark were dipped into the water, the river split in two, so that the people could cross on dry ground. 

We live in an age when people need to see proof first before they believe. Personally, I would rather see the river water split first, see the path first, and only then cross. Yet sometimes, like the people of Israel, we need to step forward first, and then God shows His way. 

Worry, fear, and doubt can keep us from going anywhere. Interestingly, if the priests had not taken the first step of dipping their feet into the river, the river would not have split. To start something new, to live out our faith, courage is needed. Courage to step onto God's path, even when we do not know what will happen ahead.

What about us? Let us learn from Joshua, to dare to step forward in faith.

For we live by faith, not by sight (we live by faith and not by sight) – 2 Corinthians 5:7

Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase. – Martin Luther King Jr.

3. Dare to Ask - Dare to Ask

Daring to ask is one very interesting example from Joshua. Joshua was not only brave enough to stand out and brave enough to step forward, but he was also brave enough to ask.

What is the most extreme request we have ever asked of God? Asking for a spouse in life, health, or what? You name it. Joshua once asked for something that perhaps has never even crossed our minds. 

Then Joshua spoke to the LORD on the day when the LORD gave the Amorites over to the people of Israel; and he said in the sight of Israel: 

"Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon!" So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. Is this not written in the Book of Jashar?

The sun stopped in the midst of heaven and did not hurry to set for about a whole day. There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man in this way, for the LORD fought for Israel. – Joshua 10:12-14

Wow. Joshua asked God for the sun and moon to stop so that he could continue fighting. And amazingly, God granted Joshua's request. It says, “There has been no day like it before or since, when the LORD listened to the voice of a man in this way.” 

If you were in Joshua's position, would you dare ask God to stop the sun and the moon? For me personally, I probably would not even think of it. Yet Joshua dared to ask for something specific and great. 

How Can We Dare to Ask?

Why was Joshua able to be that bold in asking God? Of course, because Joshua had a close relationship with God and had great faith. Throughout his life, he had seen so many miracles that God had done. And this time too, he was sure God was able to do one more miracle. God was able to grant his request. 

Today, what are our prayers like? Have we all this time not dared to ask because our relationship is not close to God? Do we not dare to ask because we doubt that God is able to answer? Or because of so much sin that we commit, so that we do not dare come to Him? 

Build a close relationship with God. Live rightly and stay away from sin. He greatly desires for us to be close to Him. That is why He wants us to call Him “Father.” Then, dare to ask. However, daring to ask does not mean God will definitely grant all our requests. That is God's right. Our part is to ask, as it says in Matthew 7:7, “Ask, and it will be given to you...”

In fact, God Himself also taught His disciples to ask for great things. 

He said to them: "... For truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, Move from here to there - and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.  – Matthew 17:20

So, dare to ask.

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Joshua gives us an example of courage. Dare to be different, dare to start, and dare to ask. Which one do you want to practice first?

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." – Joshua 1:9 -  Related Articles:

• Succeed in Leading with 5 Valuable Lessons from Joshua
• The Pillar of Cloud and the Pillar of Fire: God's Presence in Difficult Times
• Fight for Your Faith Until the End
• Remember These 3 Things When Fear Overwhelms You
• Courage, a Vital Character Trait for Growth and Life Change

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