Strength and Courage

This week I am studying Joshua. The thing that struck me first is how God commands Joshua to be strong and have courage. He wasn't necessarily already strong and courageous when he became the leader of Israel. He was just obedient. In Joshua 1:9 God says, "Be strong and courageous" and them he tells Joshua why "for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go."

In the previous verse, God tells Joshua "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success."

By obeying and trusting God, Joshua became strong and courageous, prosperous and successful. Shouldn't I do the same? Shouldn't we all?