Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
Courage rests on assurance of God's help, not on our own strength. Those who trust their own power cast themselves headlong in senseless pride; all exhortations are empty unless they rest on simple confidence in His grace. God's promise to be our helper to the end destroys the Popish error that faith must hang in suspense, uncertain what He will do tomorrow.
AI summary
Moses could not cross Jordan himself, yet he would not abandon Israel without a word of encouragement. Though Joshua would lead them in battle, they would miss Moses interceding for them on the hill. But God had set His limit: his time to serve was finished, and he acquiesced, for what man should desire to live longer than God has work for him to do?
AI summary
Commenting on Deuteronomy 31:1-8
Joshua needed the same exhortation as the people, yet it fell upon him with greater weight. He was to be their general, to lead them into battle against many enemies, and to go alone without Moses, a severe trial of his courage. Valor and military skill were not enough; he needed the word of the Lord to strengthen him for so great a work.
AI summary