Since we were children, we strive to learn new things and improve what we already know how to do. As we grow, these efforts translate into academic success, sporting and professional achievements, and greater independence and personal satisfaction. However, we also face challenges and difficulties that test our strength and make us question whether we can overcome them. It is in these moments when we need to remember the words of Jesus: «Look, I command you to strive and be brave. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you in everything you undertake” (Joshua 1:9).
What does it mean Look, I command you to make an effort and be brave
«Look, I command you to make an effort and be brave. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever he wants you to go.”
These words were spoken by God to Joshua, after the nation of Israel had spent 40 years in the desert. God was instructing Joshua to take possession of the land that he had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous, and not to be afraid or faint, because God would be with him everywhere he went.
These same words can be applied to us today. God commands us to follow his commandments and to be courageous. We must trust God and not be afraid, because he will be with us at all times. God will give us the strength and courage we need to do his will.
What Joshua teaches us 1 6 9
«When you approached the land of your brothers, the Amorites, those who lived in Heshbon, said to them: ‘Give up fighting against us; we are much more numerous than you.’ But we kept in mind the mandate that the Lord, your God, had given us: ‘Do not fear or be intimidated by any enemy, for the Lord, your God, is the one who fights for you.’
Then we told you: ‘Rise and attack’. The Lord your God delivered them into your hands, and you were very cruel to them, as the Lord your God had commanded you.
From Aroer, which is by the Arnon torrent, to Mount Sirion, that is, to the territory of the Ammonites, all the peoples that lived in the Arabah were destroyed by us, as the Lord our God had commanded us.
Some of these kingdoms we did not attack, because Moab, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, had made a treaty with us.
But the Lord, our God, did not want us to respect him, because Sihon had gone in search of all the Israelites to destroy them.
So the Lord our God delivered him into our hands, and we defeated him along with all his army.
From Aroer, which is by the Arnon stream, to the city situated on the slope, in the middle of the valley, we destroyed it, as we had done with Sihon, king of Heshbon.
But Moab, because it was the kingdom of Sihon, did not attack us.
We also destroyed the city of Ar, on the mountain of Seir, and slew all its inhabitants, as we had done with Heshbon.
Then all the peoples of the mountain of Seir, and all the peoples of Edom, feared us and did not dare to fight against us.
The Lord our God said to us: ‘Do not attack the Edomites, for I, the Lord your God, have given you the territory of Sihon, king of the Amorites.
The inhabitants of Seir inhabited that territory, and we destroyed them, as we had done with Sihon, king of Heshbon.
But we did not attack anyone from Edom, because the Edomites were relatives of Esau.
The Lord our God gave us instructions: ‘Harm neither the Moabites nor the Ammonites.
Moab, the kingdom of Sihon, king of the Amorites, was a relative of Lot, and the Ammonites were Lot’s descendants.
As you have seen, the Lord, our God, did not want to give us that territory, because the king of Sihon, of Heshbon, had gone in search of all the Israelites to destroy them, and he did not respect the treaty he had made with us.
The Lord our God told us: ‘Go up and attack.’ The Lord your God delivered them into your hands, and you were very cruel to them, as the Lord your God had commanded you.”
What does Joshua 7 teach us?
Joshua 7 teaches us the importance of faithfulness to God. The Israelites had sinned by taking possession of the promised land despite God’s warnings. Although God had granted the Israelites victory over their enemies, Achan’s sin had prevented God from fully blessing them.
Through Joshua’s prophecy, God commanded Achan to confess his sin. Achan acknowledged his guilt and was punished for his disobedience. This story teaches us that we must be faithful to God and obey his commandments.
What does the Bible say Strive and be brave?
In the Bible, God tells us many times that we must strive and be courageous. He tells us that we should not be afraid, that we should trust Him and that He will be with us always. He tells us that we must fight our enemies and not give up. God tells us that we must be strong and courageous, and that He will be with us always.
God tells us in Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” God also tells us in Joshua 1:9 “Strive and be brave. Do not fear or be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
In the Bible, God tells us that we must be strong and courageous, and that He will be with us always. So, strive and be brave, do not fear or coward, because God will be with you wherever you go.
Sent by God, even if we are surrounded by difficulties, we must be brave and make an effort, since He is with us.