BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE

FAITH CAPSULE: Being strong and courageous is what becomes of one that consistently meditates on the word of God.
 
Joshua 1
When Joshua took over the challenging and confrontational leadership position of leading the children of Israel, he was backed by a convincing and powerful promise of God, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) Believers often quote the promise of God to Joshua by personalizing it to themselves “The Lord will not leave me nor forsake me”. Indeed, God will never leave His own, except if His own disown Him by living outside of His command. It is a great blessing to have God on our side; however, God’s blessing is rooted in conditions that have to be met before the blessing manifests itself. It would not have happened for Joshua if he had failed to operate under the conditions that were laid down for the manifestation of God’s promise. The conditions for Joshua were for him to, “Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.” (Joshua 1:6) This same condition applies to any believer who wants to personalize God’s promise to Joshua. Without being strong in the Lord and having courage rooted in trusting God, Joshua would not have entered into the promises of God. Being strong and courageous is what becomes of one that consistently meditates on the word of God. Also, observing the word of God is in meditation just as it was laid down for Joshua, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it…” (Joshua 1:8) It is clear in the word of God that meditation will generate the ability to observe the word (Observe: to regard with attention, so as to see or to obey, comply with, or conform to). Without meditating on the word, nothing will be in place to observe. Truly, a believer can gain strength (become strong) when the joy of the Lord is present inside of him. It cannot be well stated more than in Nehemiah 8:10, “…For the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Joy that is rooted in the heart, not laughter or a smile is a direct access to the presence of God. The Psalmist confirms it by stating, “You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy…” (Psalm 16:11) With the presence of God, a strength that cannot be shaken will make it impossible for any man to stand against a believer that is in the word of God. Having joy in the Lord is the evidence of fully trusting God.
 
Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace of obedience.