“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” ~Joshua 1:5-6
The Book of Joshua begins, upon the death of Moses, with God choosing Joshua and commissioning him to go and lead Israel into the promised land. Joshua, along with Caleb, are the only two men above the age of twenty who survived the forty years in the wilderness due to their faith that God would protect them. “And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes and said the all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land. If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.” ~Numbers 14:6-9
Joshua is promised God’s presence and therefore, victory over his enemies.
God is faithful to fulfill his promises, but He is also a just God. The forty years in the wilderness was due to the Israelites rebellion. Their faith was tested when they realized the earthly enemy they were against. They had a choice to either trust the Lord’s presence and power or rebel due to fear. They rebelled due to fear. Thus, when the Israelites are about to enter the promised land for the second time, God command’s Joshua three times to act with strength and courage.
The flowers are another one of my Gramma’s UFOs. They were meant to made into key chain decorations; however, I decided to repurpose them for my own use. I utilized scrap fabric that were all conveniently about the same width to create the colorful border.
“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:7
Joshua’s success hinged upon his willingness to carefully obey the book of the law. In order for Joshua to uphold the law, he must study and know the law. In the same way, the Church’s success hinges upon our careful study, obedience, and teaching of God’s Word. He has provided us His word for instruction, so that we may know our purpose in life. If you are in Christ, you have been chosen and commissioned to go and make disciples of all nations. But you need to know the Word of God!
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” ~Joshua 1:9
As Joshua is commanded to be strong and courageous, we are also to go forth boldly and obediently with strength because of God’s promise to be with us (Romans 8:31-38). We can be certain that God has promised His presence to us if we accent Christ and become a follower of Him. “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” ~ Acts 1:8.
We are just like the Israelites, afraid. However, we can learn from God through them. He is showing me that He is in control and He is faithful. Therefore, let me grow in the suffering because He has me in His hands. Father, help me to recognize the trials and hardships of life as part of the walk of faith. Help me to act with strength and courage. Amen.
“Finally, be strong, in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” ~Ephesians 6:10
Acting with strength and courage is sometimes easier said than done. If you are anything like me, I have many fears. Why? For multiple reasons, but mostly because of my pride and my lack of faith that God has me in his hands. What if we put aside our fears and rested in the knowledge that God has the strength that we need? This blog scares me. I am putting my work and my beliefs out on the internet, and I am open for criticism. I majored in math, not the skills to eloquently write a blog. That frightens me! However, I act with strength and courage that the LORD has provided me with the knowledge and skills to reach others. Maybe this blog will strengthen someone’s faith or introduce them to Christ! I have faith the He will use this blog for His plan, and that is why I write. What is He calling you to act with strength and courage to do today?
Quilt Bus 