Strength and Courage for Generations to Come
- Tabitha Deller
- Aug 12, 2024
- 3 min read
“Repetition leads to remembrance. When something is repeated, it should be heeded…”
The 31st chapter of Deuteronomy opens with Moses commissioning Joshua. Moses was getting older, and he knew it was time to pass the baton to a younger leader who would both challenge and champion the next generation.
I see this leadership model in motherhood, too. Older women are challenging and championing younger women as they rise up in a world that wants to weaken them, and lead their children with strength and courage into all the places God is calling them.
I love that Moses not only reminds Joshua of God’s sovereignty, but in verse 3, he literally let him know that “God Himself” would go before Joshua, leading him, as he would lead others into the promise land.
Verses 4 and 5 both start with “The Lord will…”
These were promises Joshua could count on, stand on, and act on.
The very next verse is led by a small but mighty conjunction, “so,” indicating that because of everything we know, we can trust everything that follows.
“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them.
For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you.
He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:6, NLT)
“So” — when you know God’s character, you can trust His promises.
“So” — when God Himself goes before you, you can follow unafraid.
“So” — when God’s promise is paired with His presence, strength and courage can be found in their midst.
And if those six verses aren’t enough, and if that charge in the sixth verse doesn’t quite convince you, we see it repeated in verses 7 and 8.
Repetition leads to remembrance. When something is repeated, it should be heeded…
“Then Moses called for Joshua, and as all Israel watched, he said to him, ‘Be strong and courageous! For you will lead these people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors he would give them. You are the one who will divide it among them as their grants of land. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.’”
(Deuteronomy 31:7-8, NLT)
Mama, maybe today, you feel weak and discouraged. Might I remind you that your strength and courage is not found in the midst of your circumstances? It is, however, found in truth of God’s promises and the peace of His presence.
As you shift your perspective from what you might see before you (giants in the land) to the very One who goes before you…
And as you tune your ears to hear God’s voice over the naysayers and complainers…
May you find your strength and courage.
Trust Him. He is with you. You are seen, known, loved, and because of all that, you are held, helped, and led by Him.
So, be strong and courageous, Mama.
Action Step:
Start to repeat God’s truths to yourself and to your children. Write out and/or memorize Deuteronomy 31:6 as a family. Remind each other frequently (on a walk, while driving, during meal times, throughout the day) that you are strong and courageous because God is with you, and He will never leave you.
Written by Tabitha, a weak and discouraged mom, led by a strong and courageous God.