Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6
As I reviewed websites on Deuteronomy 31:6, I found several repeated points about courage, obedience, leadership, change, God’s presence, responsibility, and the Holy Spirit.
Courage Begins With What We Believe
One statement I found was, “Joshua’s belief determined his behavior.” Joshua had already seen what fear could do to Israel. When the spies entered the Promised Land, ten focused on the strength of the enemy and concluded that Israel could not succeed. Joshua and Caleb saw the same situation and responded differently because they trusted God.
Joshua also faced the responsibility of following Moses. Israel had followed Moses for forty years. Joshua now had to lead the people forward. He had reasons to feel afraid, intimidated, and insecure, yet he moved forward in faith and obedience.
Courage Grows Through Obedience
I found courage described as coming from following God wherever He leads. Courage begins with conviction and obedience. God goes with His people as they face difficult situations.
Courage was also connected with standing for what God says is right. One act of courage can influence other people. Following God can also cause courage to grow.
God Remains When Circumstances Change
I found strong emphasis on the change Israel faced when Moses told the people that he would not cross the Jordan with them. Moses had led Israel for forty years, but Joshua would now take his place.
Moses would no longer go ahead of Israel, but God would. This was applied to changes such as aging, health problems, children leaving home, becoming a single parent, losing a job, and other major changes in life.
Changing circumstances do not mean God has left. God remains with His people even when they cannot see what He is doing.
Courage for New Responsibility
I found Deuteronomy 31:6 applied directly to people entering new leadership responsibilities. Joshua had been given responsibility for leading Israel into the land God had promised them.
The emphasis was that God goes ahead of His people and remains with them. New leaders were encouraged to be strong and courageous because God would not fail or forsake them.
Courage, Calling, and the Anointing
I also found Deuteronomy 31:6-8 connected with calling, responsibility, ministry, and anointing. The transition from Moses to Joshua was compared with Elijah and Elisha. Moses completed his ministry and Joshua received responsibility. Elijah completed his ministry and Elisha received his mantle.
The mantle was described as representing calling, responsibility, ministry, and the anointing of God. This was then connected with Pentecost and Acts 1:8, where believers receive power through the Holy Spirit.
The mantle of Christ was connected with the church, and the church’s work was connected with the power of the Holy Spirit.
We Are Not Forsaken
I found Deuteronomy 31:6-8 applied to trials, discouragement, spiritual attacks, and difficult periods. The emphasis was that God does not forsake His people.
The three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace were used as an example of God remaining present during severe trial. Believers were also encouraged to support one another when someone becomes weak or discouraged.
Discouraged believers were called to renewed faith and encouraged to seek a fresh filling of the Holy Ghost.
Remembering God’s Presence
I found Deuteronomy 31:6 connected with God remaining with His people through joy, sorrow, abundance, need, peace, and storms. God’s presence was connected with comfort, strength, and victory.
Fear was connected with forgetting God’s presence. God’s silence does not mean He has left. Difficult circumstances do not mean His presence has disappeared.
A Consistent Message
In the material I reviewed, courage was repeatedly connected with faith in God, obedience, leadership, and God’s continuing presence. Change did not mean God had abandoned His people, and new responsibility did not mean they faced it alone.
Courage was also connected with calling, spiritual responsibility, and the work of the Holy Spirit. Trials and discouragement were met with the assurance that God remains present and does not forsake His people.
The repeated message was to be strong and courageous because God goes with His people and will not fail or forsake them.