Monday Morning Manna
Monday, April 19
Monday Morning Manna
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
‘Be strong and of good courage,’ these were the words God spoke to Joshua as he was commissioned to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. God had been with them all the way from Egypt during the past forty years. Even when they turned their back on Him, God did not turn away from His children. Their journey could have been much shorter but for their grumbling and disobedience, but God stayed with them. These words are encouragement as we journey on in life. We ought to be strong and of courage, trusting in God. Knowing that He (God) is the same yesterday, today, and forever more.
Four times in the opening verses of the Book of Joshua God said, ‘Be strong and courageous,’ or ‘be strong and very courageous.’ Why then did Joshua need strength and courage if he lived according to the scriptures and knew the covering of God? Because the opposite of courage is fear.
Joshua was facing a totally new challenge and he needed to be reminded of the source of his strength. Yesterday’s strength and victory which had gotten them to this point will not suffice for the journey ahead. One must always look again to the Lord in each battle and every situation. Only in this way can one find true faith, power and peace to serve God effectively. You will recall that Samson was a man of great courage, but he failed God. Samson failed to check for the true courage of God before attempting to face the enemy. When we test ourselves before God, we have the opportunity to discover whether we are going out in our own strength or facing the enemy with God’s strength.
Joshua needed to realize anew that he was not to depend upon old habits, former experiences, past glories, or personality traits to get him through the present situation. He was to turn in a new way to find strength and direction from the Lord.
Surely our confidence is in God and with His help, we can walk through fear into safety. So, let’s stand firm in Him, no wavering and no doubting, with the joy of the Lord in our heart. Then we’ll discover, perhaps to our surprise, that we’ve become strong and even very courageous.
Prayer for today: Loving Father, only in You am I safe. Draw me closer to You, Lord, hide me in Your clef, hold me in Your bosom and keep me safe. That I may have strength and confidence to live and walk according to Your Word, in Jesus’ name, Amen.