Be Strong
Abraham’s descendants had finally arrived at the border crossing, but many things had changed. Most of those who came out of Egypt had died in the wilderness. Many of those who were left were faced with the new challenge of testing the power of God to overcome their enemies. No one had arisen in Israel like Moses whom the LORD knew face to face. He was unique in his intimacy with the LORD and for his miraculous signs, wonders, mighty power, and awesome deeds, (Deuteronomy 34:11-12). Before his death, Moses laid his hands on Joshua, and he was filled with a spirit of wisdom and God gave him supernatural skill for leading Israel. Now, Moses had died and Joshua, the leader of God’s people, was given a command and promise by the LORD. He commanded him to go across Jordan and possess the land He was giving them. The LORD promised to give him every place the sole of his foot would tread upon and that no one would be able to stand up against him. God said, “I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you.”
Then God repeated the command three times, “Be strong and very courageous.”
Joshua 1:9 NKJV “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Through the LORD Jesus Christ, God has issued a similar command and promise to you.
You may not be crossing a physical Jordan River into the Promised Land, but you have been called and chosen to enter into the promises of God through Christ. God has given you the command and the promise to “BE STRONG” and take possession of what Christ has provided. You need to know that nothing that comes against you will prosper.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 AMP For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,
2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ.
Just as the LORD commanded Joshua to “BE STRONG,” you have been given a mandate to BE STRONG in the Lord and in His might.
The strength we have relies fully on the victory that Christ has gained.
The victory Christ attained put all things in subjection under Him. After winning the victory through death on the cross, God exalted His Son Jesus Christ our LORD and has given Him a name of authority and power that is above every name. The authority and power of the name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in submission in the heavenly realm, on earth, and in the demonic realm.
When God commands you to “BE STRONG,” He has given you the strength that has been attained in Christ.
Philippians 4:13 NKJV I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
You should know that Jesus did not gain this victory over every foe just to show you that He has the power, authority and ability to defeat your enemies. He disarmed, disqualified and totally defeated every foe for you. Jesus Christ took on and defeated them for you so you could be strong and live in the victory that overcomes the world. The LORD Jesus Christ took on everything that could take you down. He stood victorious over sin. He took on the power of death and came out with resurrection power and authority. He disarmed principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in the cross. He took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses and diseases and through Him, you can be healed. He took on every work of darkness and destructive force that could deliver you into captivity and He triumphed.
His victory was so complete that He put them all under His feet.
Ephesians 1:22–23 NKJV He (the Father) put all things under His (Christ’s) feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Why do we need to be strong if God has put all things under Christ’s feet?
When we face an attack of the adversary, we can resist him in faith.
1 Peter 5:8 NKJV Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him steadfast in the faith…
This word “resist” means to stand your ground in the faith being rooted, established, strong and immoveable in Christ. Jesus Christ addressed your enemies, so that you could enjoy the rewards of His victory. He defeated sin so that you can live in freedom from condemnation and experience His new life. He destroyed the power of hell and death so that you do not have to live in fear or torment. Your present and future victory has been secured through Christ’s victory.
When Jesus came out of the grave, He made it possible for you to sit, walk, and stand in His victory.
God has made it possible for you to stand strong even against the wiles of the devil. This victory impacts every phase of your life.
Psalms 103:2-5 Forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crown you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things…
After He led captivity captive, He gave gifts to men.
Jesus Christ our LORD gained this victory so that He may bring you into His home of glory and give you a crown of life. He defeated every power of evil so that you may live without condemnation in this world. He did it so that He may lift you from a place of defeat into a place of victory. You can be strong because Christ has gained the victory. No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper.
This “strength in the Lord” is more than a possibility.
Ephesians 6:10 NKJV Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
When Israel stood before the walls of Jericho, they came to know that those walls could not stand against the LORD their God.
You need to know that Jesus Christ continues to hold your enemies under His feet so that you may enjoy the full benefit of His present victory. Stop looking at your next great conquest as though it is something that cannot be defeated. Those walls have to fall and victory is going to be yours. God is more than able to bring you into Christ’s victory.
Do you understand the greatness of His power toward us?
It is interesting that God told Joshua to command Israel to trample those fallen walls under their feet and conquer their enemies. God wants you to have the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. He wants the eyes of your heart to be flooded with light so that you can see, know and understand the hope of victory that you have in Christ. Jesus Christ has conquered so that you can raise your hands in victory. He has vanquished every foe so you can stand strong. He has brought you on to the victor’s field, not as an observer or fan, but as a conqueror with Christ. You have been made more than a conqueror in Christ. He did this so that He may lead you into His victory. Back in the Old Testament, the psalmist knew something that you need to confess and know.
Psalm 18:32-34 The God who girds me with strength and makes my way perfect. He makes my feet like the feet of a deer and enables me to stand firmly on the dangerous heights of testing and trouble; He sets me securely upon my high places. He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
Isaiah 40:29-30 He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and [selected] young men shall feebly stumble and fall exhausted;
Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait and hope in the Lord shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up close to God as eagles; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
When the LORD told Joshua to BE STRONG and very courageous, He wanted him to know that He was with him and would give the victory. In Christ Jesus, you have been made more than a conqueror.
