Have I not commanded you? Chazak! Be strong! Do not be terrified or dismayed, for ADONAI [the LORD]  your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9, TLV

Be Strong! It’s a Choice of Faith!   There’s that word: Chazak! Be strong! Our context? Joshua’s beloved mentor has gone off somewhere to die, where GOD Himself would bury him. Now, it is time to enter the long awaited Promised Land. Numbers 26:51 says there were 601,730 sons of Israel — most likely heads of families or adults — which means with wives and children, the total number of people was now in the millions.

And the mighty warrior Joshua? The man who was not only mentored by Moses, but had a deep relationship with the LORD himself …

So ADONAI spoke with Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. Then he would return to the camp, but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, did not leave the Tent. (Exodus 33:11, TLV)

… Joshua was terrified.

Frankly, given the forty years in the desert with millions of people, millions of squabbles, continual battles, miracles beyond understanding, even the great prophet Moses couldn’t keep his temper and wasn’t able to enter the Promised Land. I admire these men for putting up with all the troubles rather than giving up and just walking away.

But, Joshua wasn’t only terrified of the responsibilities placed on him, he was terrified he would fail GOD — whom he loved so deeply.

No one will be able to stand before you [Joshua] all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.  (vs. 5, TLV)

ADONAI will not fail or forsake Joshua.

That’s for us, too, you know.

Are there a seemingly insurmountable number of responsibilities before us? Chazak! Be strong!

Not out of our own strength, but out of faith in our Father’s promises that He will not fail or forsake us. No matter what it looks like to us, to our Father, well, He’s already won. We just have to take the step He presents to us next.

Chazak!