The Duke

The Duke

Bible Blast: Read Joshua 1:1-9

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

John Wayne was one of the most famous cowboy film stars of all time. From the 1920s until the 1970s, he made 170 movies. His name was Marion Mitchell Morrison, but the film producers thought John Wayne was a better name for a movie star. Actually, a lot of people just called him “The Duke,” a name that came about when John was little and went absolutely everywhere with his huge dog, Duke.

The Duke used to say, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” I love that. If anyone in the Bible could relate to that quote, it would be Joshua.

When Joshua came on the scene as Israel’s leader after Moses’ death, he had some pretty big shoes . . . er . . . sandals to fill. So when God repeatedly said, “Be strong and courageous,” he was speaking right to this young leader’s heart. Joshua was scared to death, but he “saddled up” anyway.

God told Joshua, “I have given you Jericho, its king, and all its strong warriors” (Joshua 6:2), but Joshua and his men would have to work for the victory. God told Joshua to walk with his men and seven priests around the city once a day for six days. On the seventh day, they were to walk around the city seven times, while the priests blew their horns. When the priests gave one long blast of the horns, the people were told to shout at the top of their lungs. As they shouted, the walls came tumbling down!

Conquering a city like Jericho was likely a scared-to-death situation for Joshua and the people he was assigned to lead. But Joshua made the choice to follow God in spite of his fears, and the Israelites were able to win the battle.

Being scared doesn’t mean you don’t love God. It’s okay to be scared, but dig down deep inside of yourself to “saddle up” for God and to be strong and courageous.

Girl Gab: Is there something God wants you to do, but you’re feeling really scared or nervous about it? I get scared sometimes when I know God wants me to share about Jesus with a stranger. Tell God you’re scared and ask him for the courage to do the right thing in spite of your fear.