Verse of the Day 12/28

Verse of the Day 12/28

 

Joshua 1:7  (HCSB)  Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go.

 

In yesterday's verse Moses commended the people of Israel, including Joshua,  to be strong and courageous.  Here, Joshua has taken the reigns in leading the nation and in the span of four verses, commends the people three times to be strong and courageous.  They were preparing to cross the Jordan (at flood stage) to enter the long awaited promised land.  The journey would not be easy, then, as now, there was not easy button to press, they had to go through it.

 

The commands to be strong and courageous define the mission of Joshua's life.  He would lead the people across the river and in battles with the enemy, but God would go before him.  God, not human strength or wit, would topple the formidable walls of Jericho.  Then as now, it will not be easy.  We may lose close friends who won't agree with our stand or go with us into battle, but God did not have to conduct poles or sponsor popularity contests to know what was the right thing to do, He will guide you in the direction you should go.

 

Spurgeon's "Evening Devotional" for today aptly describes the courage that Moses, Joshua and others have lived and commended to us, "Fearless of all consequences, you must do the right. You will need the courage of a lion unhesitatingly to pursue a course which shall turn your best friend into your fiercest foe; but for the love of Jesus you must thus be courageous. For the truth's sake to hazard reputation and affection, is such a deed that to do it constantly you will need a degree of moral principle which only the Spirit of God can work in you; yet turn not your back like a coward, but play the man. Follow right manfully in your Master's steps, for he has traversed this rough way before you. Better a brief warfare and eternal rest, than false peace and everlasting torment."

 

As God leads, "play the man", follow Him along the path, don't be distracted and stray from the course, be courageous, follow His lead through thick and thin.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

Joshua 1:6-9  Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

 ⁶ "Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance. ⁷Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you.Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. ⁸ This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do. ⁹ Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."