Our scripture this morning is Joshua 1:6-9.
“Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
It sounds like a pep talk from God – “Be strong and courageous”. Easy for You to say, Lord! You’re the creator of everything and nothing can stand against You! We are weak and prone to giving up.
God understands this, so He amplifies it: “I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous”. Now it’s serious. This is not just advice, this is an order! How can we possibly do this?
The answer is we can’t…not alone anyway. Only by trusting in Him and obeying His commandments can we ever hope to succeed against the enemy. However, God isn’t sending us alone. He tells us plainly “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”. With this assurance we go in His name, knowing that He is with us always.
Heavenly Father, we are amazed that You are willing to forgive our failure. Bless us to be energetic workers for Your kingdom, strengthened by faith and inspired by Your word. Amen.
