This exhortation to be strong and very courageous is given solely with moralapplication, is applied to the keeping of the law of God. The words of Divine injunction rise to the point of greatest emphasis and intensity when the thing commanded is a simple, continuous, unswerving obedience. Applying the subject to ourselves, we have
I. A sufficient rule of guidance for life. Joshua had; we have. There was a law of God then by the keeping of which he and all his people might approve themselves to the Lord, and be strong men and heroes. There is a law of God now, fuller, richer, more spiritual, more complete, in the keeping of which we may approve ourselves to the Master, Christ. Our law is the whole Gospel, as requiring from us a practical, and loving, and continuous obedience. To be "strong" is to make endeavour to go forward and grasp something in the Divine life; it is to take up a certain position in practical obedience and say clearly, "I am here: I stand by this." To be "of good courage" is to maintain that position against the force of temptation and opposition of every kind. (1) Strength and courage are needed at home and with ourselvesbefore we meet the world at all. The critical part of the struggle is within. (2) Strength and courage are needed in the Church; i.e.among Christian people. (3) Strength and courage are needed when we go more fully out into the world. We need courage to live honestly, courage to live simply, courage to speakfrankly and boldly in condemnation of the speech or the action of others.
II. We have in the context direction how we may attain this temper and habit of Christian courage. It is fed by truth, by the law or the revealed truth of God. When the soul has found the flowing fountains of strength, and drinks of the same day by day, her courage will be day by day renewed.
A. Raleigh, The Way to the City,p. 89.
References: Joshua 1:6; Joshua 1:7. A. P. Stanley, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvi., p. 17. Joshua 1:7. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xiv., No. 796; Spurgeon, Evening by Evening,p. 132; J. Keble, Sermons for the Christian Year: Sundays after Trinity,Part I., p. 31; Clergyman's Magazine,vol. x., p. 209; H. M. Butler, Harrow Sermons,1st series, p. 73.Joshua 1:8. G. Brooks, Five Hundred Outlines of Sermons,p. 193.