No Fear! No Fear! No Fear!

Joshua 1:6 -
Be strong and of good courage....

Joshua 1:7-
Only be strong and very courageous....

Joshua 1:9 -
Have I not commanded you? Be Strong and of good courage....

Joshua 1:18 -
.......Only be strong and of good courage....

I don't know for sure......
but I believe that there is a pattern to all these verses above.
I believe that God may be trying to communicate a thought to us.....
Could it be that he wants us to be strong and not fear......
Be courageous?
In this particular instance, we read where Joshua has replaced Moses as the leader of Israel.
The company is camped across the Jordan river and is preparing to cross over into what we know as the Promised Land.
For 40 years this is the land they have been hearing about.
An entire generation has died during their wanderings in the wilderness.
Died because of their unbelief that God would bring them into this new land and new way of living.
Now, before them lay this land that was to be theirs.
Israel would have to cross over the river and occupy....live....dwell....make it their home.
God had promised many promises if the people would be faithful, now they were going to find out if these promises were true or just empty words. But it would take an act of faith on their part.
Four times God commanded them to "Be strong and have courage" in this new endeavour.

Recovery from addiction requires the same fortitude that God commanded the Israelites to have.
There are those who have wandered in their addiction for years, just as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness.
Such people have gone in and out of treatment. Rehab after rehab...they have heard about this "Promised Life". A life that had been promised by God if they would follow some simple steps.
But woven within this message were the words.......Be Strong and Courageous!
In Verse 5, God encourages Joshua in his role as the new leader of the Hebrews..."As I was with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you, nor forsake you."
In recovery, the crazy part is...
If Jesus is this higher Power we claim, then would it not make sense that he is going to be with us all the way as we turn the corner on our addiction?
Jesus is not going to cut and run once you make the decision to turn your will and life over to His care.
In fact, when you do make the decision, He is there to take you into this promised life you have wanted.

Once Israel crossed over into the promised land, they encountered enemies and fortified cities. God was there every step of the way to guide them, and more importantly, empower them to do what ever it took to be overcome every obstacle they faced. Just as He will be there for each of us who have made that decision to follow Him in this new life of recovery and sobriety.
He is worthy to be trusted....
God on you....
Be strong....
And courageous...today!

mb