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This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest — Joshua 1:8-9 (KJV)
Despite so much talk about ‘leadership’ today, there is a curious absence of its most important character quality: courage. Without courage, you cannot go forward, overcome obstacles, suppress fear, and make it safely to your destination. In short, without courage, you cannot lead. Remember that courage is not bravado, bullying, biceps, or bluster. Courage is the mastery of fear, a steeling determination to go forward, to take one’s focus off the obstacles, aimed clearly at the prize, while inspiring others to do likewise. There’s no turning back.
To live as a Bible-believing Christian in an increasingly hostile world takes courage, conviction, and consecration, while willing to turn one’s back on comfort, convenience, and cowardice. In order to become ‘strong and courageous,’ one needs to learn the Bible, God’s Holy Word. The Book of Joshua records the fulfilment of God’s promise to the children of Abraham to possess Canaan, the land of promise. The exodus was finished, the land possessed, and the covenant with God renewed. All of this was made possible by God and through courage, which He commands
