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Joshua had a huge task to accomplish: lead God's people in conquering and settling the promised land. As often as I've read the command to Joshua 'be strong and courageous' I've not really dwelt on the reasons Joshua had to be the opposite – weak and fearful. Consider this: the Israelites were at the culmination of 40 years of nomadic wandering. They were now at the same point their parents were when it all went wrong – they didn't trust God to lead them into their land. Not only that, but they had just lost their strong, wise and long-time leader, Moses. Joshua had plenty of reasons to feel weak and fearful. Yet he chose to believe God's promise that He would be with him. He chose to obey, leading his people, ensuring as far as he was able that they kept the law of Moses, doing everything written in it. He helped the people know how important it was to follow God with their whole hearts.

Question: What reasons do you have to feel weak and fearful? How does Joshua (his situation, his choices, his life story) encourage you in your walk with God?