Serving The Lord With Courage And Strength

"Today's Devotion" For May 15, 2006

Read: Joshua 1:5-9; Hebrews 3:8-14

SERVING THE LORD WITH STRENGTH AND COURAGE

"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." (Joshua 1:9)

Have you ever been afraid? No doubt everyone could answer this question in the affirmative. An old Marine Corps Master Gunnery Sergeant told me one time that "any man who goes into combat and says he's not afraid is a fool. Stay clear of him because he'll get himself and you killed!" I have to admit I've cleaned up the language a bit. He was, however, quite adamant that such people are a danger to themselves and others. Usually, he went on to say, they were also the same people who never followed directions, never paid attention during exercises, and usually had a highly inflated opinion of themselves.

Being afraid is no sin. It's the very real result of the reality of sin and death in the world. Fear is also a mechanism that keeps us from doing foolish things that could harm us and others. Fear is also a powerful emotion that makes us acutely aware of our own inadequacies, and, in the case of Sin, the terrible consequences of our disobedience to God - eternal death and separation from Him. The power of the emotion of fear is so great that it even prevents us from overcoming it by ourselves. Such was the situation with Joshua.

Moses had died. Joshua had been chosen by God to be his successor. He now had the unenviable task and enormous responsibility of leading the Children of Israel into Canaan. It was his task, as he would later come to understand it, to drive out the heathen tribes that would assail Israel according to the command of God. He was to be a leader, a general, and a representative of God. It was a task and responsibility that challenged his faith and his courage. And, because God's purpose for him was such a challenge, it would make sense that Joshua was afraid.

Yet, God had told him He would be with him as He had been with Moses. Three times (a number of completeness in Scripture) God repeated the encouragement, "Be strong and courageous." Each time God called on Joshua to "be strong and courageous" and focused on a different purpose. He called Joshua to "be strong and courageous" because he would be leading God's people to inherit the land promised to their forefathers. He called Joshua to "be strong and very courageous," and to do so by carefully obeying God's Law as given by Moses. God called Joshua to "be strong and courageous" fully confident of God's presence with him in all things.

As God called Joshua to "be strong and courageous," so does He call us, His redeemed children in Christ. He calls us to "be strong and courageous" in our life and living for Jesus, as we lead others to know Him as their Savior and Lord. He calls us to "be strong and very courageous," drawing our strength from the power of His Word and Spirit. He calls us to "be strong and courageous," confident that in Christ our sins are forgiven and He is "with us always even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20). God holds us in the very palm of His hand. There is nothing that can separate us from His love in Christ. Redeemed, restored, and forgiven of all our sins we can live with courage and strength, confident that we are His forever.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving me such examples of faith, courage, and strength as Joshua. His example reminds me that by trusting in You and being obedient to Your Word, there is nothing I can't overcome; there is nothing that can take me away from You. Strengthen my life of faith and obedience that I may be a living example and witness to others of Your love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness in Jesus. Above all, help me to overcome any fear that would keep me from serving You faithfully until You call me home to be with you forever. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright © 2006 The Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.