Joshua 1:1-9 KJV
1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,
2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.
3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.
4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast.
5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.
8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.
9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

To have courage is not to be a cowardly lion. It about being bold to stand up and take charge. After a two day break, I seen the Senate decided not to cause the government to shut down. About time they figure how not to stop their paycheck. Last three nights have not slept much, however I am one that believes on pressing through but need of rest over came me. I chose to take time off. So I hope you time to do your reading asignment.

Next book in the list in the Bible is Joshua. Joshua is a leader, warrior and follower of God. His name means Jehovah(Lord/existing one) is Salvation. God would bring even people like Rahab the harlot and her family hope as they heard Israel was coming through their land. Israel was fixing to take their land back and go into the promise land. Joshua would be their leader. A man chosen by God that had been trained by Moses to lead and most of all he learned to trust in God.

God spoke to Joshua and told him to be strong with courage. To be courageous in obeying the commandments. This is all important to faith and leading a people into the promise land. Yes it was four hundred years later, God was removing idolatry from his land. It may sound odd a loving God would care about a piece of land or that his people should have a particular spot.

God establishes his people and their homeplace. God choice of land for his people. For believers this does not sound harsh but something beautiful done by God even when it meant war to chase, kill or destroy people out of the land. If we look at it from the other person's view it was 400 years Israel had been gone for a long time and people had moved in on the property that knew not Israel or maybe not known of their God until stories were told of a herd of people were traveling to the Promise Land.

The wars are over land it from time of old even before Christ and is really about unbelievers not believing in Jehovah and being idol worshippers and pagans.The land was given by the Cananites originally to Abraham. The Israelites called Hebrews went to Egypt during a famine. Did not return tell over 400 years later to Abraham's land. Laws then were not like today and it all sounds silly. Yet God word is true. What is rightful his he can take away from you. There nothing you can do to change it.

The people are through with war and ready to possess the land God gave them and Joshua ask how long they would be slack concerning their promise. Go and take what God has ordained as your land. The promise hope seen and ready to receive it is not yours until you take it. God did not give his laws to be discouraged but courageous in obeying God in all his blessings and all he called his people to do.

Dear Heavenly Father help us be people of courage ans couraeous on all you desire us to be. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Joshua 18:1-4 KJV
1 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel assembled together at Shiloh, and set up the tabernacle of the congregation there. And the land was subdued before them.
2 And there remained among the children of Israel seven tribes, which had not yet received their inheritance.
3 And Joshua said unto the children of Israel, How long are ye slack to go to possess the land, which the LORD God of your fathers hath given you?
4 Give out from among you three men for each tribe: and I will send them, and they shall rise, and go through the land, and describe it according to the inheritance of them; and they shall come again to me.