MAY 16
BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Deuteronomy 31:7-8
7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous: for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 Yahweh, he it is who does go before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” (WEB)
There are many instances in the Bible where we are encouraged to be courageous. This is one such example: Moses passes on the leadership baton to Joshua, encouraging him not to be afraid of the big task at hand.
Moses encouraged Joshua not to be afraid because Joshua was afraid. When we are in an overwhelming situation, it is natural to struggle with fear. The problem is not being afraid; it is what we do in the face of fear that matters.
Moses didn't guarantee Joshua that there wouldn't be giants along the way that would be obstacles to victory. He told Joshua that God would go before him and be with him every step of the way. He went on to say that Yahweh would never fail or forsake him either.
The reason Joshua could be strong and courageous was not because he trusted in his own ability to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land. The reason that he could be fearless was simply because of the greatness of his God and all of Yahweh's precious promises.
My prayer today is that each of us will be strong and courageous amidst all the challenges we face. Not because we can manage life on our own but simply because we have a Father and an Elder Brother who have promised to be with us wherever we go. May we all have a deeper sense of the abiding presence of the Godhead in our being as we take the promised land.
Luke 12:32
Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. (WEB)
7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous: for you shall go with this people into the land which Yahweh has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 Yahweh, he it is who does go before you; he will be with you, he will not fail you, neither forsake you: don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” (WEB)
There are many instances in the Bible where we are encouraged to be courageous. This is one such example: Moses passes on the leadership baton to Joshua, encouraging him not to be afraid of the big task at hand.
Moses encouraged Joshua not to be afraid because Joshua was afraid. When we are in an overwhelming situation, it is natural to struggle with fear. The problem is not being afraid; it is what we do in the face of fear that matters.
Moses didn't guarantee Joshua that there wouldn't be giants along the way that would be obstacles to victory. He told Joshua that God would go before him and be with him every step of the way. He went on to say that Yahweh would never fail or forsake him either.
The reason Joshua could be strong and courageous was not because he trusted in his own ability to lead the nation of Israel into the promised land. The reason that he could be fearless was simply because of the greatness of his God and all of Yahweh's precious promises.
My prayer today is that each of us will be strong and courageous amidst all the challenges we face. Not because we can manage life on our own but simply because we have a Father and an Elder Brother who have promised to be with us wherever we go. May we all have a deeper sense of the abiding presence of the Godhead in our being as we take the promised land.
Luke 12:32
Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. (WEB)