Evening, May 11, edited from Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening

“Only be 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 courageous. Some consider it a inconsequential thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God does not think so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without worry, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are despondent we are subject to a serious malady, not one to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord does not want 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 as we are, even if mourning ; 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 a heroic manner. If he is fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonor 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 others sad. Furthermore, unless your courage is kept up, Satan will be too much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Savior; 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, labor is easy to a man of a cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who works hard, 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 strong, and very courageous.”