An Encouraging Word

Be strong and courageous.... - Joshua 1:6

We see this single phrase repeated six times in the texts of Deuteronomy 31 and Joshua 1. Moses used it when talking to Joshua about his future leadership; once in private and once to encourage Israel to follow Joshua into the future. God, Himself, also used these same words to remind Joshua that He would be with him; once concerning the distribution of the land, once concerning obedience to His Word, and one last time to remind Joshua of His ever-abiding presence.

The final use of this phrase was neither by Moses nor by God, but it might have had just as much of an affect on Joshua's budding leadership. Why? It came from the Israelites themselves. The Reubenites, Gadites, and half-tribe of Manasseh (indicating their support of his new position) gave Joshua the final encouragement he needed to indeed be strong and courageous.

Never under estimate the power of an encouraging word.

I would go to the deeps a hundred times to cheer a downcast spirit. It is good for me to have been afflicted, that I might know how to speak a word in season to one that is weary. - Charles Spurgeon