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Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Courage takes strength.

When God was preparing Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, God knew that it would take both courage and strength.  So, God said:

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. (Joshua 1:6 ESV)

When we get frightened, angry, or depressed, it is easy to feel like not getting up in the morning.  We can find ourselves not wanting to talk to people or face the world in any way.  That’s when it’s good to remember that courage takes strength and that we don’t need to manufacture that strength.  Later in Israel’s history, God told Nehemiah:

And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10b ESV)

When God tells us to be strong and courageous, it is important.  In fact, it is so important that God repeated the phrase three times in His message to Joshua.  Be strong and courageous.  Be strong and courageous.  Be strong and courageous.  When God told Joshua (and tells us) the same thing, God isn’t leaving us alone to fight that battle.  He gives us the strength.  The joy of the LORD is our strength.

How about you?  When you are struggling, do you hear God’s call to be strong and courageous?  Is the joy of the LORD your strength?

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