Be Strong And Courageous
To the family of believers, we can be strong and courageous because God is with us. When Joshua sent spies into Jericho, just prior to taking over the promised land as promised to Abraham, Rahab informed the spies that everyone in the country was living in fear of the Israelites. They heard how the Red Sea was split, and how the Israelites conquered the Amorites who were known to be a very large and strong people. Everyone had heard about all of these events and more that the Lord had done for them. With courage failing in the town upon which they were spying, Joshua knew that victory was inevitable. So Joshua speaks to his people:
Scripture:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
Observation/Application:
Like Joshua, we too can be courageous in the Lord. How can we have confidence in this? Because God is with us. In the book of Joshua chapter 1 alone, “be strong and courageous” appears four times. And can we even count the number of times in the Bible where God comes through for us. There are so many! In addition to the parting of the Red Sea and the many miracles God performed through Moses, what about the time when Daniel survived the lion’s den? How about when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the fire because they would not bow down to King of Babylon Nebuchadnezzer, but they did not burn? The list goes on and on. If there is one thing we can have confidence in it is this. If God is always with us, who can be against us? No one! God is our Maker, Creator of heaven and earth and all the stars, Almighty and powerful, all-knowing, the one true God who’s love knows no end.
Let God be with you today. It is a brand new day, full of hope and possibility and opportunity. For this is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I call you blessed.
#Be-Strong-And-Courageous
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your wonderful Word. Fill us today with all of your goodness. Help us to be strong and courageous. Do not let us grow weary in seeking you and doing good. Purify us from the inside out Lord. Let your Holy Spirit overflow in us. We give you all the honor and glory and praise, in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Today’s full reading: Joshua 1,2; Psalm 37; 1 Corinthians 3
Scripture References From Today’s Reflection:
- “But we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles” – (1 Cor. 1:23)
- “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.” – (Exodus 14:21-22)
- “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” “Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel,r and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” – (Daniel 6:19-22)
- “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.” – (Daniel 3:16-17)
- “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” – (Romans 8:31)
- “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.” – (Psalm 118:24)
- “The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD.” – (Proverbs 21:31)
Image courtesy of: Dark Welder
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