If you look at the wording of the sentence you discover very important things. (Note: No word in the correctly translated Bible should be overlooked. Every word is there for a reason!)
The first word we encounter in this phrase is "be". The word "be" here can, and in my opinion, does imply that the following words are to become part of who you are. 'Being' means it is ingrained into every fiber of your character.
The word that immediately follows "be" is "strong". There's not much to say for this word that probably hasn't already been said. I can say though that strength is as good a spiritual quality as it is mental or physical, even more so than the latter. Not to forget though, the kind of strength the Lord is commanding Joshua (and in turn, us) to have encompasses all 3, but when thinking of how we are to "be strong" the Lord was probably referring to a more constant state if strength. That is, the strength of our spirit and mind. When we are spiritually and mentally strong we are prepared for any challenges and can face the ones that come.
Next is the word "And". We all probably know what the word "and" means, but keep in mind that this is combining two ideas. We must "Be strong" and "Of good courage." This means that we must be both.
With this in mind, we will move on to the next word. "Of" is a word that has a similar meaning with "Be" it means that that is what makes up who we are. When we are "Of" a certain nature it means that all of our actions flow from that nature. The definition of the word is 'expressing the relationship between a part and a whole'. Meaning, when we are 'of' something, it is a part of us, it makes up who we are.
Now lets see the kind of people Heavenly Father wants us to be. The next word is "Good." "Good" morally defined is "That which is morally right; righteous." Which here is very self explanatory. Now let's see it in relation to the last word.
"Courage" means we have the strength to do things that we are afraid of. It does not mean we are devoid of fear, but that we face the things we fear. Now what about the relationship between "Good" and "Courage"? What if the Lord was not only telling us to face our fears, but to face them in a good way.
How many of us face out fears, but choose to face the wrong fears, the wrong way, or with the wrong priorities? When we choose to face the challenges of life God wants us to be "Of good courage." He wants us to face our fears and trials the way Christ would. Think about the brilliant, perfect example of courage is Christ. He did the right thing, in the right way, always. The reason Christ had the power to be who he is and live the way he did is because he had the constant support and confidence of our Heavenly Father.
To put it into our newly discovered translation: We must be living in such a way that strength and courage are ingrained so fervently in our souls that the choices we make are made the way Christ would make them, with confidence in our Father in Heaven and in His power.
My dear friends: Be strong, and of good courage.
The first word we encounter in this phrase is "be". The word "be" here can, and in my opinion, does imply that the following words are to become part of who you are. 'Being' means it is ingrained into every fiber of your character.
The word that immediately follows "be" is "strong". There's not much to say for this word that probably hasn't already been said. I can say though that strength is as good a spiritual quality as it is mental or physical, even more so than the latter. Not to forget though, the kind of strength the Lord is commanding Joshua (and in turn, us) to have encompasses all 3, but when thinking of how we are to "be strong" the Lord was probably referring to a more constant state if strength. That is, the strength of our spirit and mind. When we are spiritually and mentally strong we are prepared for any challenges and can face the ones that come.
Next is the word "And". We all probably know what the word "and" means, but keep in mind that this is combining two ideas. We must "Be strong" and "Of good courage." This means that we must be both.
With this in mind, we will move on to the next word. "Of" is a word that has a similar meaning with "Be" it means that that is what makes up who we are. When we are "Of" a certain nature it means that all of our actions flow from that nature. The definition of the word is 'expressing the relationship between a part and a whole'. Meaning, when we are 'of' something, it is a part of us, it makes up who we are.
Now lets see the kind of people Heavenly Father wants us to be. The next word is "Good." "Good" morally defined is "That which is morally right; righteous." Which here is very self explanatory. Now let's see it in relation to the last word.
"Courage" means we have the strength to do things that we are afraid of. It does not mean we are devoid of fear, but that we face the things we fear. Now what about the relationship between "Good" and "Courage"? What if the Lord was not only telling us to face our fears, but to face them in a good way.
How many of us face out fears, but choose to face the wrong fears, the wrong way, or with the wrong priorities? When we choose to face the challenges of life God wants us to be "Of good courage." He wants us to face our fears and trials the way Christ would. Think about the brilliant, perfect example of courage is Christ. He did the right thing, in the right way, always. The reason Christ had the power to be who he is and live the way he did is because he had the constant support and confidence of our Heavenly Father.
To put it into our newly discovered translation: We must be living in such a way that strength and courage are ingrained so fervently in our souls that the choices we make are made the way Christ would make them, with confidence in our Father in Heaven and in His power.
My dear friends: Be strong, and of good courage.
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