Strong and Courageous

Daily Nugget:  

Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:9

  

Moses had died, the people of Israel had a new leader.  I'm sure he was overwhelmed.  It was a huge job to handle the Israelites.. they were after all like a huge group of children.  They still hadn't learn to listen completely.  They still complained.  They still tested God.  But it was God's plan that Joshua become the new leader.

God was specific that Joshua would be strong and courageous.  He promised Joshua that He would be with him wherever they went.  What a promise!  It was now Joshua's charge to take the land God had promised... and he did just that.

Many times throughout these first few chapters of Joshua this phrase is used over and over.  Be strong and courageous... God is with you.  For those in present time who serve the Lord, who have consecrated themselves before Him, I believe God says... be strong and courageous. 

Whatever God has called us to do, wherever He has destined for us to go, we can walk forward and complete His charge.  We need to face our destiny knowing that we can be strong and courageous in everything, because God is surely with us.

Did you notice, at one point, it was the children of Israel who encouraged Joshua to be "strong and courageous".  This should teach us about the importance of encouragement for our brothers and sisters in the Lord.  We often know when they are taking on a new plan or in the middle of a long journey that God has sent them on.  Our friends share with us what God has set in their heart, and we should offer words of encouragement... dear friend, be strong and courageous, God is with you wherever you go.  What powerful words especially perhaps, if they are unsure or discouraged! 

Lord God, Almighty Creator of all things, I praise Your name!  I pray as I seek Your face, to know Your will, that I set my steps towards what You have called me to do, I will hear you say to me those words you spoke to Joshua.  That I will step into my destiny and have no fear because I know You are with me.  And Lord, may I be encouraging to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, as they too follow Your will for them.  When we face "giant armies" (problems and struggles bigger than us) may we lift each other up and be a reminder that You are there.