Evening, May 11
Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings
Joshua 1:7
"Only be thou strong and very courageous."
Joshua 1:7
Our God's tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the
state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage.
Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and
fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our
Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without
carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not
think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we
are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be
carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see
our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come
into the king's court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the
King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still he would
have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of
praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to
be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by
enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted,
it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This
disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon
spreads amongst the Lord's flock. One downcast believer makes twenty
souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up, Satan will be too
much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of
the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make
headway against you; but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover,
labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon
cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with
all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap
in joy; therefore, dear reader, "be thou strong, and very courageous."