Today's Scripture
Be strong and courageous!” Joshua 1:5-9
Today’s Reading Schedule: joshua1-4- Click to read
5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 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.”
Devotion
What Does the passage Mean to Me/US?
Moses has led the people out of Egypt and through the Wilderness for 40 years. Now the Lord is commissioning Joshua to be the new leader, who will guide the people into the long awaited Promised Land. Even though Joshua has been very close to Moses for most of the 40-year journey, what a challenge he faces!
How does God go about commissioning Joshua?
First, God encourages him:
Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you!
I will not leave you or forsake you!
You shall cause the people to inherit the land!
No one will be able to stand against you!
Do not be afraid…do not be discouraged!
I will be with you wherever you go!
Then God instructs him:
Be careful to do all according to the Law that Moses commanded.
You shall meditate on the law, day and night.
Finally, God speaks to Joshua’s humanity as a new leader and repeats Himself three times, to make certain Joshua hears the message:
Be strong and courageous!!!
Each day as we awaken and begin our regular activities, there is always an inner dialogue we have with ourselves. Some days that dialogue is healthy, pushing us to be our best, to be the people God is calling us to be and live gratefully in the light of Jesus grace. Other days not so much, with messages like, “play it safe”, “stay under the radar”, “I’m feeling low energy”, “nothing important happening today” or simply “grrrr”.
My experience has been that the difference in dialogue depends on whether I have been faithful to the same commissioning that Joshua received. Did I open my Bible and strain to hear the message God has placed there for me today? Did I spend time in prayer and both lift my petitions and concerns and listen to God’s Holy Spirit moving in me, empowering my own spirit? Did I remind myself that if I walk faithfully with Jesus today, He will be with me wherever I go, and no one can stand against me? Did I remind myself to be strong and not be timid, worried, fearful, or discouraged? Did I remind myself that if I dare to live boldly and courageously in the Lord like Joshua, I too will help lead people to the Promised Land of acceptance, salvation, and grace in Jesus Christ? Lord, help me have that conversation with myself every day!
Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Thank you for the life of Joshua, giving us an example to live by, to be bold and courageous! Draw out that Joshua spirit in me! Drive away my tendency to rely on my own plans and powers. Strengthen me to be strong and courageous in my thoughts and actions, in extending love, acceptance, and generosity to others, and in my obedience to Your call on my life.
In Jesus Christ. Amen.
Contributed by Larry Dickenson
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