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Joshua 1:9 “Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.
Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will
be with you wherever you go.”
In the
first chapter of Joshua, the words “Be strong and courageous” are repeated four
different times! God was trying to get a
message through to this new leader.
Moses was dead and now it was Joshua’s time to rise up and lead the
people. It was his season. It was his destiny. It was what God had prepared him for. Yet, he was afraid. He would face many difficulties and many
challenges ahead. There were battles to
be fought, rivers to cross, and enemies to push back. He was going into new territory, taking new
land. Joshua must have needed to hear
those words more than just once.
As
church planters working in the frontiers we are much like Joshua. We are taking new places and peoples for His
kingdom. We are going into new territory
and pushing back the forces of darkness.
Sometimes we feel young and inexperienced. Yet, like Joshua, we are the ones God has
chosen for this task. When he calls us
he promises to be with us, to go before us, to fight for us,and to help us in
every situation. He speaks to us today,
once again, “Be strong and courageous.
Be strong and courageous. Be
strong and courageous. Be strong and
courageous.”
This
strength is not just a physical strength.
It is a strength of spirit, a strength of heart. God spoke to Joshua and he speaks to us, “Don’t
give in to fear and doubt. Be strong in
your spirit. Rise up in faith and the
power of God. Be courageous!” Courage is the quality of mind or spirit that
enables a person to face difficulty, danger, or pain… without fear. To be courageous means to look at those
dangers, fears or difficulties and to say “I refuse to let you control me. I’m going forward in spite of you!” This strength and courage comes from the sure
knowledge that God is with us. If God is
for us, then who can be against us? We
have no reason to fear.
God
had promised the Israelites the land long before they entered. Joshua was taking them in to take possession. He went forward based on the command and
promise of God. As we work among
unreached peoples, we must remember these two things. God has promised to give us these people. It’s already written in the book of
Revelation that people from every tribe and nation will worship him. God has commanded us to go to all nations and
peoples with his good news. We’re here
because He sent us. So we will rise up and be strong. We will face the dangers and difficulties
with courage. We will cross our Jordans
and take possession of the people groups he has given us. For we know our God is with us!
Questions to consider:
1. How
strong do you feel in your spirit today?
Speak to your soul the scripture above.
2. What
are you facing that requires courage?
What difficulty, danger or pain is trying to make you afraid to go
forward or to keep working for God?
A Church Planter’s Prayer:
Master, you commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous. I know you are also speaking this to me. Please make me strong in my spirit. Help me to face difficulties with courage,
faith and confidence. I give you my
fears and challenges today. Thank you
for being with me and going ahead of me in the battle. Amen.
IF THIS BLOG WAS ENCOURAGING TO YOU- CHECK OUT THE DEVOTIONAL BOOK CALLED "FAITH TO MOVE MOUNTAINS" THAT THIS BLOG WAS TAKEN FROM. YOU CAN ORDER AT A VERY LOW COST FROM http://www.kingdomadvance2013.com/Resources.html
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