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 times in the Bible where we are encouraged to not be afraid and be of good courage. This is one of those examples where Moses passes on the leadership baton to Joshua, encouraging him to not be afraid of the big task at hand.
The reason that Moses was encouraging Joshua not to be afraid was probably because Joshua was afraid. When we are in an overwhelming situation, it is the most natural thing in the world to struggle with fear. It is not being afraid that is the problem, but 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. All he told Joshua was 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 why Joshua could be strong and courageous was not because he was trusting 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 one of us would be strong and courageous in the midst of all of the challenges we are facing. Not because we have the ability to 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 set before us.
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 times in the Bible where we are encouraged to not be afraid and be of good courage. This is one of those examples where Moses passes on the leadership baton to Joshua, encouraging him to not be afraid of the big task at hand.
The reason that Moses was encouraging Joshua not to be afraid was probably because Joshua was afraid. When we are in an overwhelming situation, it is the most natural thing in the world to struggle with fear. It is not being afraid that is the problem, but 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. All he told Joshua was 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 why Joshua could be strong and courageous was not because he was trusting 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 one of us would be strong and courageous in the midst of all of the challenges we are facing. Not because we have the ability to 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 set before us.
Luke 12:32
Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. (WEB)