Be Strong and Courageous

Prayer ~ Lord, knowing that You are with me…that You have promised to never leave me or forsake me…gives me courage and hope. Hope is so important in this world were anxiety reigns. Anxiety creeps up on me and overwhelms me…but You are always with me—no matter what. Thank you. You are an awesome, glorious God. You are my God. I will be strong and courageous—because that strength and courage comes from You—God Almighty.

So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you." Deuteronomy 31:6

Meditate on God’s word day and night. No need for anxiety.

 

God was speaking to the nation of Israel before Moses died and before they went into the Promised Land. He said practically the same thing to Joshua when He assigned him to take Moses’ place as leader of the Israelites.

After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, ... No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you. Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:1, 5-9 (Underlined for emphasis.)

A beautiful day on The Sea of Galilee - Israel
Can you walk on water?
Jesus did even during a storm.

Being strong and courageous was very important to God. He repeated it three times as He commissioned Joshua to be the new leader. When Jesus was walking on the water of the Sea of Galilee, He spoke about taking courage.

When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, "It's a ghost!" But Jesus spoke to them at once. "Don't be afraid," he said. "Take courage. I am here!" Matthew 14:26-27

Can we apply that to our lives? Don’t be afraid…Take courage. In our relationship with Jesus, we can rely on Him to be with us…to never leave us or forsake us, just as He said to His disciples…Don’t be afraid…Take courage. When I am facing anxiety—like I have frequently in the last couple of years—I rely on Jesus’ words…

Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light." Matthew 11:28-30

I do find rest, comfort, strength…and courage in the teachings of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Trust Him. Like Joshua, you can be strong and courageous.

 

Verse of Salvation ~ Listen to me, my people. Hear me, Israel, for my law will be proclaimed, and my justice will become a light to the nations. My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way. My strong arm will bring justice to the nations. All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. Isaiah 51:4-5  

[God was speaking to the Israelites. He is still promising them salvation.]

 

Memory Verse of the Week ~ Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

 Happy Cinco de Mayo Day!

The Mexican army on that day in 1862 was strong and courageous as they battled against the French!

© 2022 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

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