Orig: 11/7/02
“Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!" Joshua 1:16-18
God dwells in courage.
There is no fear in doing the things we love. In other words there is no fear in love because men will go to extremes to participate in the things they love, even if it is reckless. I am not a gutsy snow boarder because I do not love it and am not willing to take the risks associated with being good. On the other hand, I have a history with being reckless when it comes to hunting or sports simply because my love for them is far greater than the fear that would beg me to be careful. Essentially, they are worth the risk.
From Scripture we know that “God is love” (1 John 4: 8 and 16) and those of us who have a deep relationship with Him care more about our love for Him than His ability (as God) to nuke us. 1 John 4:18 affirms this truth, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.” The love/fear dilemma is true not only for our relationship with God and others, but the things men love to do.
There is no fear in God. God fears nothing. To fear is to dwell in a land absent of God. By fear I mean anything that causes man to turn his trust and faith away from his God. Love overcomes the experience of feeling of fear to act courageously. Courage is not the absence of fear but the presence of love. When the presence of love is stronger than the presence of fear we are courageously empowered. When the tables are turned, however, we turn and retreat in fear.
In our passage for today, the Israelites are three days from crossing the Jordan into the Promised Land. The Reubanites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh will stay to live but must fulfill their covenant to fight with Joshua. These three tribes follow Joshua to fight in the Promised Land and commit themselves to Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you (17).”
There only request, or mandate as it reads in the New International Version, is for Joshua to be “strong and courageous” (18). The spiritual leader recognizes that strength and courage are opposite sides of the same sword. A man cannot lead people into the promises of God yet be dominated by fear. The love of a cause as well as the people a man leads must override his fears,; thus, breeding courage.
Fear will hinder us from hearing and obeying the risky promises of God. The sign of a spiritual leader walking in the obedient will of God is courage resulting from love. God gives courage to the obedient leader. Courage is an attribute of leadership. Courage gets in front of people yet remains safely behind the God who goes before him.
