April 2 Joshua 10:25
“And Joshua said to them, ‘Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.’”
Commentary:
This verse comes at a key moment after Joshua’s dramatic victory over a coalition of five Amorite kings. The kings had been captured and brought before Joshua. Before executing them, Joshua uses the moment as a teaching opportunity for his people.
Key Themes:
- Courage through faith: Joshua echoes God’s earlier command to him in Joshua 1:9, passing that same exhortation on to his warriors. Their strength and courage are not self-generated but rooted in trust in God’s promises.
- A visual reminder of God’s power: The defeated kings lying prostrate is a powerful symbol of God’s deliverance. Joshua uses it to encourage Israel that this is what God will continue to do if they remain faithful.
- Leadership and encouragement: Joshua demonstrates wise leadership. He doesn’t simply lead by strategy or command, but by lifting up his people’s spirits, shaping their vision of victory with faith.
Application:
Just as Israel needed courage to face physical enemies, believers today are called to face spiritual battles with strength and courage drawn from God’s faithfulness. Joshua’s words remind us that fear fades when we trust in the One who goes before us in battle.
Be Strong and Courageous”
Joshua 10:25 – “Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous. For thus the Lord will do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
It was a moment of triumph, but also one of teaching. The Israelite army stood before the defeated kings—once powerful enemies who had united in opposition. Now they lay humbled by the hand of God. Joshua, their leader, seized the moment not to boast, but to build courage. He told his people, “Do not be afraid or dismayed.” Why? Because this—this image of victory—was not a one-time event. It was a glimpse into what God would continue to do for them, if they remained faithful.
Faith in God always leads to courage. But this isn’t a call to muster our own strength. It’s a reminder that God fights for us. Our courage is not born of pride, but of trust. Joshua was pointing them—and us—to a deeper reality: the battle belongs to the Lord.
You may be facing your own “enemies” today—fear, doubt, temptation, discouragement. Hear Joshua’s voice echo through the centuries:
“Be strong and courageous.” Not because you are enough, but because God is. He has brought you this far. He will not stop now.
Reflection Question:
What “enemy” or challenge in your life today is tempting you to fear, and how can you remind yourself to be strong and courageous by trusting in God’s faithfulness?
Prayer:
Lord, when fear threatens to overwhelm me, help me to remember Your faithfulness. Give me strength and courage not from myself, but from the assurance that You are with me and that You fight on my behalf. Help me to walk boldly, trusting in Your victory. Amen.
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