Jos 17:16 The people of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
Jos 17:17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, "You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only,
Jos 17:18 but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though theay are strong."
This is several chapters later from the beginning of the book, but I am reminded of how God says to Joshua "be strong and courageous". I don't think he would be able to say these words now if courage had not been put into him by the Lord.
These are very strong leader words to tell the house of Joseph. But as Joshua's journey has progressed his courage has turned into faith. He believes that even though the Canaanites are strong and have chariots of iron, his God is bigger and is able to defeat the enemy without a doubt. And now Joshua is able to put courage into the house of Joseph when they are in a place of doubt and weakness.
I recognize times when as a new leader and even as an older leader I have needed words of encouragement to help me step forward. And I have also recognized times when I have been full have faith and have given courage to others so that they may move forward. It seems that there are many times when we need both. Father give me the discernment to listen when you are speaking and the faith to encourage others when you have placed me in leadership over them. Amen.
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