When daddy told me to do something, he expected results. If he had to repeat himself, I was on thin ice. The third time was never charming... it was harming. He knew how to warm a boy’s britches.
What do you suppose was on God’s mind when he repeated himself seven times! Listen up, buster! Pay attention!
Read the thirty-first chapter of Deuteronomy. Then read the first chapter of Joshua. In these two chapters, as God commissions Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan, God repeats Himself seven times.
“You must do to them exactly as I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous”(Deuteronomy 31:5-6, CSB).
“Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land the Lord swore to give to their ancestors... The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:7-8, CSB).
“Be strong and courageous ... I will be with you” (Deuteronomy 31:23, CSB).
“Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6, CSB).
“Be strong and very courageous to observe carefully the whole instruction my servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go” (Joshua 1:7, CSB).
“Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, CSB).
“Above all, be strong and courageous!” (Joshua 1:18, CSB).
Like Joshua, we’ve been commissioned to serve the King.
Like Joshua, we have the Book of Instructions, so we must “carefully observe everything written in it” (Joshua 1:8, CSB).
Like Joshua, we aren’t alone. “The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8, CSB). “I will be with you” (Deuteronomy 31:23, CSB). “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, CSB).
There are battles to fight. Be strong and courageous! The victory is certain!
