Do you remember how many times Joshua was told to be "strong and courageous"? He had a huge task in front of him. He was the appointed leader of Israel - stepping into the large leadership sandals of Moses and becoming the one about whom all Israel would complain when anything went wrong!
So Moses, God and the people of Israel tell Joshua to be "strong and courageous" a total of six times. Maybe it was said more often than that, but you will find this challenge and encouragement recorded six times at the end of Deuteronomy and in the first chapter of the book of Joshua.
We are told in the NT that these things (things recorded in the OT) are written for our learning. So we are right to think that God might say to all who serve Him: "Be strong and of good courage." The Apostle Paul seems to echo the words to Joshua as he concludes his letter to the Christians in Corinth.
"Be on your guard; stand firmin the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." I Corinthians 16:13 - 14
What in your life calls for extra strength and courage these days? Do you need to be courageous and strong to keep persevering in a task that has worn you down? Do you need courage and strength dealing with physical pain that eats away at you day by day? Or for the loss of a relationship that can't be restored? Or to resist temptation that attracts you to disobedience? Or for Christian service that is important but goes unnoticed and unappreciated? Or in living for Christ in a family or company that rejects Him? Or ---.
Hear these encouraging words from Paul by the Spirit: "Stand firm in the faith; be courageous and strong." The Holy Spirit lives in you. You are intimately connected to Christ. You are loved unconditionally by the Father.
You can persevere. You can continue to pray. You can continue to serve. You can continue to love those who may not love you back. Ah, yes. That is the NT addition to what echoes the OT words of encouragement. "Be courageous. Be strong. Do everything in love." Yes, God wants us not only to persevere, to pray for others, to serve where we can. He calls us to be like Him - to love everyone, all the time!
Hmmm. Loving everyone, all the time. I think for that I need to strong and courageous.
So Moses, God and the people of Israel tell Joshua to be "strong and courageous" a total of six times. Maybe it was said more often than that, but you will find this challenge and encouragement recorded six times at the end of Deuteronomy and in the first chapter of the book of Joshua.
We are told in the NT that these things (things recorded in the OT) are written for our learning. So we are right to think that God might say to all who serve Him: "Be strong and of good courage." The Apostle Paul seems to echo the words to Joshua as he concludes his letter to the Christians in Corinth.
"Be on your guard; stand firmin the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love." I Corinthians 16:13 - 14
What in your life calls for extra strength and courage these days? Do you need to be courageous and strong to keep persevering in a task that has worn you down? Do you need courage and strength dealing with physical pain that eats away at you day by day? Or for the loss of a relationship that can't be restored? Or to resist temptation that attracts you to disobedience? Or for Christian service that is important but goes unnoticed and unappreciated? Or in living for Christ in a family or company that rejects Him? Or ---.
Hear these encouraging words from Paul by the Spirit: "Stand firm in the faith; be courageous and strong." The Holy Spirit lives in you. You are intimately connected to Christ. You are loved unconditionally by the Father.
You can persevere. You can continue to pray. You can continue to serve. You can continue to love those who may not love you back. Ah, yes. That is the NT addition to what echoes the OT words of encouragement. "Be courageous. Be strong. Do everything in love." Yes, God wants us not only to persevere, to pray for others, to serve where we can. He calls us to be like Him - to love everyone, all the time!
Hmmm. Loving everyone, all the time. I think for that I need to strong and courageous.
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