December 6 – Want Courage?

“This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  - Joshua 1:8-9  (NASB)

 

Our verses today are found in the Book of Joshua. Joshua, had served God and Moses since the people of Israel left Egypt. He is now their God-appointed commander. Moses has died before entering the Promised Land. Only Joshua and Caleb are alive among the adults who left Egypt. Today’s verse references Scripture ad “This book of the law;”  specifically Genesis through Deuteronomy, written by Moses. God instructs His people by instructing Joshua to never forsake Scriptures but to meditate on it. To read with thoughtfulness, to linger over God’s Word. Scripture has always been the main spiritual food of those who served Him, This is emphasized in Job 23:12; Psalm 1:1–3; Jeremiah 15:16; and by Jesus in John 4:34. The promise of God’s blessing comes with the great responsibility God gave Joshua; prosperous … success. The principle here is central to all spiritual effort and enterprise, namely the deep understanding and application of Scripture at all times. It is based upon the promise in Joshua 1:9: the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Let’s trust this promise today, God is with us if we have believed by faith in His Word.

 

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March 26 – Be Courageous – And Work

“But now take courage, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord, ‘take courage also, Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all you people of the land take courage,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work; for I am with you,’ declares the Lord of hosts. ” Haggai 2:4 (NASB)

The people of Israel had been held captive in Babylon. After 70 years they were allowed to return to the land and to Jerusalem. One of their foremost jobs was to rebuild Jerusalem which included the walls, and the temple. It was not an easy task and they meet resistance. Led by Nehemiah, the walls were restored but the temple remained in ruins. These words were from God through His prophet Haggai. These are words of encouragement that can encourage us today as well. The had begun the rebuilding of the temple according to instructions from God. The work was hard, and it wasn’t long, about a month, they needed encouragement to press on keeping on. We too find ourselves needing encouragement to continue the work God has given to us. To the people then and to us today, God says, “Be strong...and work. I am with you.” “Take courage” is another way of saying “Be strong.” We can count on this promise God is with us. With a world that is increasingly hostile to God and those who believe in Him, we can be encouraged to know that God is with us. 

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July 17 – No Fainting, Eager Waiting

“I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord
    In the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord;
    Be strong and let your heart take courage;
    Yes, wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:13-14 (NASB)

Does the chosen verse today bring to our minds the times when we have struggled to hold firm our faith and trust in God’s promises? David declares that despair was threatening him because of the threats his enemies were throwing at him. But his faith helped him waiting on God with eager and patient anticipation. Charles .H. Spurgeon has this commentary on our passage. “Faintness of heart is a common infirmity; even he who slew Goliath was subject to its attacks. Faith puts its bottle of cordial to the lip of the soul, and so prevents fainting. Hope is heaven’s balm for present sorrow. In this land of the dying, it is our blessedness to be looking and longing for our fair portion in the land of the living, whence the goodness of God has banished the wickedness of man, and where holy spirits charm with their society those persecuted saints who were vilified and despised among men. We must believe to see, not see to believe; we must wait the appointed time, and stay our soul’s hunger with foretastes of the Lord’s eternal goodness which shall soon be our feast and our song.”*

 *C. H. Spurgeon, The Treasury of David: Psalms 27-57, (London; Edinburgh; New York: Marshall Brothers), 2:5.

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May 27 – Being Overcomers

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” … “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” 1 John 4:1 & 4 (ESV)

The first letter written by the apostle John that we have in our Bible is a powerful letter of truth. A great amount of encouragement is given to those who have by faith, believed in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. When we accept Christ’s offer of forgiveness and in faith believe that He is our Lord and Savior, we overcome the false teaching and false teachers. They are everywhere and we must be on our guard not to be tripped up by them. In another verse we share today from John’s letter is this: “I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.”  1 John 2:14 (ESV) We know that all who believe and have the word of God abiding in them have by God’s will the strength to overcome evil. Since John addresses “little children” and “fathers” and “young men” we know that none are excluded from this promise. All faith believers overcome evil and false teaching. All are made strong in God love. 

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August 11 – Be Strong Now

And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.” – Daniel 10:19 (ESV)

Since he was in his mid-teens, Daniel had been an exile in Babylon - almost all his life. In these words, the prophet is replying to a message from God and Daniel is now a man of many years. God had spoken to Daniel in many ways and this time it was through an angel sent specially to deliver this message.  We are reminded of what happens when the Word of God comes to us. As God communicated to Daniel it very likely is Gabriel, the Archangel sent by God. He was sent to Daniel to answer the prayers Daniel had been offering.  This may not be the way God communicates to us because now He has given us His Word in the Bible. When we recognize the Lord speaking to us through His Word, we can feel the strength that it gives us.  So when we feel the need of spiritual strength, we can find it in God's Word as he gave it to us.  Aren’t we then eager to have him continue speaking to us. We too can say as Daniel did, “Speak my lord.”

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May 7 – Courage and Strength to Stand

“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 (ESV)

This promise we have looked at previously but nothing about it has lost its value.  It is likely we need the reminder more today than ever before.  Uncertainty surrounds us in many ways.  The routines and ways of our world are not the same as they were six months ago.  While the promise that God would be with Joshua was specific to Joshua, the principle extends to us today and we can hold it close to our hearts.  God expects those who are part of His family to live strong and courageous lives.  Just as the Apostle Paul encouraged Timothy that God gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7). This power and courage are given to us not simply and not even primarily so that we can face this upheaval of our lives.  God gives those who are born again by the Holy Spirit all the power and courage we need to walk and live a life that proclaims the Good News according to the Word God has given to us.  We need to be the ones standing firm in truth, righteousness, and faith. With God given strength and courage, we can do it without fear or dismay. 

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May 31 - Strong Support

“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”  2 Chronicles 16:9 (ESV)

We have a wonderful promise to consider today – that God seeks to give strength and support to those who follow and obey Him.  He looks for those whose heart is rightly devoted to Him.  The promise in this verse comes in the middle of a message delivered by Hanani the prophet to Asa King of Judah.  It was a reminder to the King that God knows just what he had done when he trusted another king and army to help Judah fight a war.  Because of Asa's lack of trust in God, he was going to be embroiled in constant war with the enemies of Judah. We can trust that God will provide strong support if we remain steadfast in our faith and obedience to Him.  In the  case of Hanani, the king threw him in prison for delivering the truthful message God wanted Asa to hear.   This is our promise for times when keeping our heart blameless toward God might cost us something severe – but we know that God will give us strong support.   

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March 16 – Waiting With Confidence

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”   Psalm 27:13-14 (NIV)

Not very often do we find ourselves eager to wait for anything.  Where ever we go and whatever we do, we want to be in the fast moving line, we want to get it done and be finished with it.  Our verse today tells us of a different way – it tells us that waiting can be good if we are waiting on God's promises to be fulfilled.  These words are an expression of faith in our Lord.  The psalmist expressed his confidence in the goodness of the Lord and we can do the same. God has been good to us as we have been living for Him and we can be sure that, as we trust Him, He will show us His goodness from day to day.  Then we read in the second verse that because of this confidence we can wait for the Lord to act because He has promised us that He will show us His love and His goodness. Waiting for God to act is a part of our faith in Him and His Words of Promise.  It is by waiting we learn to truly trust Him.  We also can be confident of this: God will show us His goodness as we take heart and strength from Him in our waiting in faith believing His word. 

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March 5 – Strong In Righteous Might

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”   Ephesians 6:10 (NASB)

This verse is the beginning of a great passage in our Bible but it begins with the word 'Finally.'  It comes following verses instructing how our Christian behavior should be toward others.  Instructions for children, fathers, slaves/servants, and masters.  But to all, this exhortation is given. This verse has the promise that our “be strong” is done not with our own strength but by being in the Lord and with the strength of His Might. We are being encouraged to trust in the Lord to help us live the Christian life.  The verse reminds us of an attribute of our God – He is not only strong, He does not just have strength but He is 'might' because He is the Almighty God.  That is His name, His character, and what He is and not just what He has. We have what He is and that is the strength we have been given to follow His teachings and obey His commandments.  So let's recognizing this, we are called to be strong in our Lord's might. If we are, we are finally following Him in righteousness.  What follows is the armor which God has provided and with each peace there is a promise of its function. 

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February 3 – Strong in His Might

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.”  Ephesians 6:10  (NASB)

This promise is for us at all times but is especially precious at those times that we find ourselves exhausted and at the very end of our effort to do what is right.  Do you ever experience that?  We do not live our lives by ourselves and we are reminded of that by these words.  Our strength to follow and obey our Lord is accomplished in His strength.  There are too many difficulties facing us which we would not have the ability to handle without help from God  in heaven.  We are so glad that our Lord knows all about this and that He is always available to help us.  We are promised that the Lord has the strength we need to continue in faithfulness.  His power is mighty and He is the creator and is in control of all things.  Turn to Him today and be strong in the Lord. 

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September 29 – Strength and Courage

“And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”” Daniel 10:19 (ESV)

Although Daniel had lived almost all his life away from his home in Jerusalem, he had served God as His prophet. In this verse today we read what a messenger from God to Daniel had to say when he delivered God's message. When Daniel heard it he was strengthened. God sends us messages too. Perhaps not by an angel appearing to us but through His Word the Bible. We also received messages when we hear others teach and preach the Word of God. We can hear the message and recognize that God is speaking to us and we find encouragement and strength. When God truly speaks, what He speaks is truth. Today, if we will listen, we too can be strengthened through hearing God's messages to us.

September 11 – Steady and Strong

“But his bow remained steady, his strong arms stayed limber, because of the hand of the Mighty One of Jacob, because of the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel,”  Genesis 49:24 (NIV)

Our verse today brings us the words spoken by Jacob about his sons – specifically about Joseph, although he said much more than just these words. Joseph had become a very important and powerful man in Egypt after being sold into slavery by his brothers and unjustly accused of sexual assault and thrown into prison. Jacob recognized that God should have the credit for Joseph's accomplishments.  Jacob's words of blessing and his commendation were really words of praise to God and that was very fitting. God deserves and must have our praise for His work in our lives too. Lets recognize today how much He is helping us each day and give Him the credit. 

August 21 – Infinitely Strong and Mighty

“The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27a (NIV)

We hope that today's blessed promise brings you encouragement and hope. At the end of Moses' life, he spoke one last time giving a blessing to each of the tribes of Israel. This verse was part of what he said to the tribe of Asher. We worship and serve the same God and this promise is ours today as it was for them when Moses gave it. The promise is that the eternal God is our refuge and his everlasting arms are what keep us up when difficulties in life come our way. It is a great comfort to know He loves us so much. I like how Charles F. Stanley describes it. “Can we have a better friend than one who is infinitely strong and mighty, yet at the same time loving and gentle? Our God tenderly loves us and protects us, yet has defeated all our spiritual enemies, including the devil.” Let us go forth today encouraged that we are able to face our world because underneath us are God's everlasting arms.

August 12 – Hope Is In God

“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.” Psalm 31:24 (NIV)

Most of the words in this Psalm of David are addressed to God in praise for His goodness. But in the last verse, the words are addressed to us. We realize that one of the real purposes in the expression of praise to God is to encourage those who hear us praising Him. Of course God wants to hear our praise and He responds by blessing us more. But, as others hear us expressing praise they are reminded how good God is. And this is what happens when we read a psalm of praise such at the one we are reading from today. Our hope and our expectation is in God. We are looking to Him in expectation aren't we? When we are reminded how He helped David and others who praise him, our hearts are strengthened.

June 8 – Strength and Courage Wherever You Go

“ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

One goal of this blog is to remind ourselves of the promises God has given to us. Each one can be trusted. One in particular is that God will be near you. We can do this over and over again because the Bible reminds us of this promise often. The promise in our verse for today was also given to Moses but Moses had died and God was re-confirming Joshua as Moses' successor in leading His people of Israel. Because God gave this promise so many time to so many before and after Joshua we can know how important it is for us to know it and to believe it. Strength and courage can be ours without fear or discouragement because our Lord God has promised to be with us wherever we are and wherever we go and whatever He leads us to do. Let's be sure to remember these promises today and believe and live according to the truth in the promises. 

April 4 - Able In Every Circumstance

“Yet their Redeemer is strong; the Lord Almighty is his name. He will vigorously defend their cause so that he may bring rest to their land, but unrest to those who live in Babylon.” Jeremiah 50:34a (NIV)

There is so much in the Bible to give us encouragement as we live our lives and there is nothing that encourages us more than to be reminded what kind of God we have. The setting of this verse is from the perspective of those who were left to live in Jerusalem when all the rest were carried off in captivity to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. And though these words are about how God cared for His people in this time of the Old Testament, we can believe that these words also apply to the way God helps us who trust in Him these days. Yes, it is encouraging to know that our Redeemer is strong and that He is all-powerful. When we face problems in our lives and are unable to handle things by ourselves we learn that it is God who is able in every circumstance. When we trust him to do it, he will do it vigorously. That’s encouraging, isn’t it?

January 2

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9 (NIV)

We are still thinking about this new year that is beginning and we want to remember that we have a God who will be with us through it. These are the words which God spoke to Joshua to encourage him as he took on the leadership of the people of Israel. Although the prospects ahead of us may not be as challenging as those facing Joshua in leading God’s people into the Promised Land, we can apply this promise to ourselves because He is the same God today. He wants to guide us as he guided Joshua. We can be sure that our Lord will be with us wherever we go if we let Him lead us through this new year. So let us take God’s promise to heart for ourselves and trust Him to be faithful. 

September 3

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” Ephesians 6:10 (NIV)

These words remind us of the source of the strength that we need to live our lives of faith. We don’t have the ability to live as we should in our own selves. We need to be reminded each day where we are going to get the ability to live as we ought to. We can be strong in the Lord! He is the source of strength. He is the source of all that we need today. So let us remember to look to Him and to trust Him. There is something really vigorous about the words of this verse. Can’t you just sense the power of God assuring you as your think about them?

January 28

“But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:19 (NIV)

Paul writes about his experiences with a physical problem about which he prayed to the Lord three times. Look at the verse. Isn’t that the way it works with us too? When we think we’re doing alright on our own, God doesn’t have a chance to show us what He can do for us. We need to get to the point where we realize that we can’t make it on our own. We have to realize our weakness and lack of ability. Then God can show us His ability and His power. Paul wasn’t ashamed to admit his weakness. He goes on to say, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He believed what God had told him was true.