Strive and Be Courageous ... The Main Requirement of Conquest

As Christians, it is not uncommon for us to ask ourselves often. What is the key to living a life in blessing and victory, beyond having accepted Jesus? ... And the truth is that there are many that we must change; if indeed we aspire to the abundant life that Jesus conquered and that the Bible promises and narrates in John 10: 10 ... "Be strong and courageous" was the main instruction and mandate that God gave to Joshua in ancient times ... And what would we do? well in meditating to know its implications and impact in depth.

It tells the Bible in the book of Joshua, that Moses had already died. He had guided and led the people of Israel forty years on a hard pilgrimage in the desert; And now Joshua was his successor, a considerably younger man; although also quite experienced in leadership matters for having diligently served Moses for so many years.

Many who had left Egypt had died on that journey; since not a few times the people had revolted and obstinate during that way. They had murmured of God and Moses many times and with it a great part of them had sealed their destiny ... Those who were now willing to conquer were the offspring of those who died as a result of their obstinacy and rebellion as God had determined by their evil heart ... see Numbers 14: 28-35.

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Now Joshua is about to cross the Jordan in the direction of the promised land. He is waiting for instructions from God regarding what he would have to do to enter that place ... surely with the same mixture of uncertainty and expectation that often overtakes us when we face a true challenge of Faith ... something we know that in our natural strength we will not be able to solve.

That is when God's command comes so essential and firm; 2 essential conditions that Joshua should fulfill throughout his life to realize the conquest of the promised land ... Be strong and be brave, says God.

Be strong and be brave and you will see the hand of God ...

Part of what God instructs Joshua directly according to the scriptures says verbatim in the following way:

"Be strong and be brave; for you will divide this people for an inheritance, the land of which I swore to their fathers that I would give it to them.

Only strive and be very courageous, to take care to do according to all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn aside from her, right or left, so that you may prosper in all the things you undertake. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may keep and do according to all that is written in it; for then you will prosper your way, and everything will turn out well for you.

See that I command you to strive and be brave; Do not fear or be dismayed, for Jehovah your God will be with you wherever you go. " Joshua 1: 6-9

Perhaps, one of the main teachings that the book of Joshua surely leaves us; It is the need for true effort when we strive to achieve that which God has promised. Yes, blessings have a cost, although God is almighty there is a part of the plan that depends on us.

Joshua was talented and experienced, and he was also the chosen of God for the task of conquering the promised land, however all these realities would not make things easier for him or for the people that followed him now ... The conquest of the What God had promised depended to a great extent on a great and constant effort and a lot of courage.

God always does his part ...

Regarding God's dealings with humanity, looking at what happened in antiquity is usually very useful, God always supports his word; Its essence and character never changes. The book of Joshua is the book of conquest, a book that tells us how God performed miracles and prominent prodigies through the people of Israel under the leadership of Joshua; but that also shows us a Joshua determined to fight from the hand of his God and obtain his promised blessing, the conquest of the land of Canaan.

Let's analyze two situations that the book narrates, which serve as an example of courage and effort on the part of Joshua and the people.

Effort and courage when crossing the Jordan.
In chapter 3 and 4 of Joshua we see how the indescribable power of the true God stops the very strong and overflowing Jordan River for the people to cross in the dry. "But" this did not happen without that before the priests of God carrying the Ark of the Covenant on their shoulders "did their part" and set out to cross the river in a determined and courageous act of faith under the orders of God and Joshua ...

They had to take a step towards the waters when they still did not stop ... They had to obey God when it represented an imminent risk to their lives, this was the act that demonstrated their trust and absolute faith in the almighty God; (Joshua 3: 13-18) Before such an event the part of God was to make the promised miracle and stop the waters of the Jordan ...

The people also had to make an effort and prepare to cross the Jordan, had to be brave not to stop or retreat before the detained waters of that impetuous river while the priests remained there, standing in the middle of the river.

Effort and courage to take Jericho.
The Bible also tells us how God performed wonders in the miraculous taking of Jericho (Joshua chapter 6). Jericho was a fortified city, which according to Joshua 6: 1 recorded "was closed, well closed because of the children of Israel." City whose enormous walls seemed impossible to trespass; before which all that the Israelites could do to overthrow them in the natural would surely be useless; however, it would not be like that if they used a God-given strategy.

In summary Under the direction of God and Joshua the people made a march for a week around that city taking care to do all things as God had commanded, and what was the result? The imposing wall fell as God foretold, and after that they had to ascend with courage (Joshua 6: 5) to the conquest of that city.

Could God have killed all the inhabitants of Jericho before the walls of the city fell? If ... God could also knock down the walls without needing them to be surrounded for seven days; However, it was not like that ... An act of obedience was required to see the miracle that God wanted to do, the effort to march around the city was decisive and the act of courage to climb to fight when the walls fell was indispensable for conquering .

We must do our part ...
God always does his part in terms of blessing us with great conquests; but we must understand that just as in the case of Joshua we must do ours ... It is not just about praying and waiting, we have to be brave and strive, go out and conquer. We must put aside the discouraged efforts; to give place to a true passion for what God puts in front of us; for what we must conquer.

God is almighty to do things without us. He can as the Bible sometimes records and points out; fight a war alone, and destroy an entire army without any human intervention. (2 Kings 19:35, Isaiah 37:36, 2 Chronicles 20: 17-24).

However, he wants to share with us his work. He "predestined good works" for us to walk in them (Ephesians 2:10); He wants and wants us to execute them. Effort is inevitable, courage is indispensable; If we want to get to conquer all that God has for our lives, those are two of the main ingredients.

Be assured that God will do his part. Just strive and be very brave to serve and honor him and you will see the hand of God honor you ...