Courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward in spite of fear. Courage is not not being afraid; it is moving ahead even though you are afraid.

Promised Land

Joshua 1-13: exploring and conquering the Promised Land Joshua 14-22: division of the land among the Twelve Tribes Joshua 23-24: Joshua’s farewell speech.

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide:  2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them – to the Israelites.  3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 “Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates – all the Hittite country – to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.  Joshua 1:1-7 (p. 89, The Story)

5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.  6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. 7Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-7 (p. 89, The Story)

1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim 1 Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there. Joshua 2:1 (middle of p. 90, The Story) Jericho

9 Before the spies lay down for the night, she went up on the roof and said to them, “I know that the Lord has given you this land and that a great fear of you has fallen on us, so that all who live in this country are melting in fear because of you.” Joshua 2:9-11 (bottom of p. 90, The Story) Jericho

10 “We have heard how the Lord dried up the water of the Red Sea for you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to Sihon and Og, the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan, whom you completely destroyed. 11 ”When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” Joshua 2:9-11 (bottom of p. 90, The Story) Jericho

1 Now the gates of Jericho were securely barred because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in. 2 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. 3 March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Joshua 6:1-5 (top of p. 92, The Story) Jericho

4 “Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets.  5 “When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.” Joshua 6:1-5 (top of p. 92, The Story) Jericho

14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness 14 “Now fear the Lord and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your ancestors worshiped beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord.   15 But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:14-15 (p. 101, The Story)

Courage is not the absence of fear; it is moving forward in spite of fear. Courage is not not being afraid. It’s moving ahead even though you are afraid. Courage is doing what God tells you – even though you are afraid.

Go. Tell the whole world about Me. Help them become My followers Go. Tell the whole world about Me. Help them become My followers. Baptize them. And teach them obey everything I’ve said. Matthew 28:18-20

I have all the authority in heaven and earth, so I can tell you do this: Go. Tell the whole world about Me. Help them become My followers. Baptize them. And teach them obey everything I’ve said. And remember: I will always be with you. Matthew 28:18-20