Joshua

DEAR GOD: In You I’m Strong & Have Courage~

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Choose Courage over Comfort — Actionalyze

 “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” – Joshua 1:9 (KJV)

Joshua 1:9 is a powerful and uplifting verse that speaks to the heart of courage and faith. It comes at a pivotal moment when Joshua is about to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land after Moses’ death. This command from God is not just an encouragement; it is a Divine imperative that carries profound significance for both Joshua and believers today.

Biblical Analysis Overview:

  1. Divine Command: The verse begins with a rhetorical question, “Have not I commanded thee?” emphasizing that the instruction to be strong and courageous comes directly from God. This Divine command highlights the authority and assurance that comes from God’s words.
  2. Strength and Courage: The call to be strong and courageous is a recurring theme in the Bible, particularly in the context of facing formidable challenges. Strength here refers to inner fortitude, while courage refers to the absence of fear in the face of danger or uncertainty.
  3. Absence of Fear and Dismay: God instructs Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed. Fear and dismay can paralyze and hinder the fulfillment of God’s plans. By removing these, believers can fully trust in God’s provision and guidance.
  4. God’s Presence: The assurance that “the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” is the cornerstone of this verse. God’s omnipresence means that Joshua, and by extension all believers, are never alone. This presence is a source of comfort, strength, and guidance.

Moral Thoughts and Takeaways:

  1. Faith in Divine Guidance: Joshua’s task was monumental, but his success was anchored in his obedience to God’s command and his unwavering faith in God’s presence. Believers are reminded to trust in God’s guidance in all aspects of life.
  2. Overcoming Fear with Faith: Fear is a natural human response, but this verse encourages believers to overcome fear by relying on God’s promises. Courage is not the absence of fear but the triumph over it through faith.
  3. God’s Ever-Present Help: The promise of God’s Presence is not limited to Joshua; it extends to all who believe. In every situation, no matter how daunting, God’s Presence provides peace and assurance.
  4. Steadfast Obedience: Just as Joshua was commanded to be strong and courageous, believers are called to steadfastly obey God’s commands, trusting that His plans are for their good.

Reflective Questions:

  1. In what areas of your life do you need to be reminded of God’s command to be strong and courageous?
  2. How can you actively overcome fear and dismay in your daily walk with God?
  3. In what ways have you experienced God’s presence guiding and comforting you in challenging times?
  4. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God’s promises and guidance?

Supportive Scripture:

  1. Deuteronomy 31:6: “Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.”
  2. Isaiah 41:10: “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
  3. Psalm 27:1: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?”
  4. Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

Prayer:

“LORD, as we reflect on Your command to be strong and of a good courage, we ask for Your strength to fill our hearts. Help us to overcome fear and dismay, knowing that You are with us whithersoever we go. Guide us, LORD, in every step we take. May Your Presence be our source of comfort and assurance, especially in times of uncertainty and challenge. Teach us to trust in Your promises and to walk in steadfast obedience to Your will. We lift our hearts in praise and gratitude, confident that Your plans for us are good, and Your love is everlasting. Keep us strong in faith and courageous in spirit, that we may fulfill the purpose You have set before us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

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DEAR GOD: THANKS FOR YOUR EVERLASTING LOVE~

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There are many passages in the Bible where the Lord declares that He wants us to enjoy His presence. “God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight.”  (Ecclesiastes 2:26) Makes one wonder why, despite God’s declarations, that many of His children fail to enjoy His presence.

First, one of the reasons might be that they think God is not approachable, and therefore untouchable. However, nothing could be further from the truth.  God wants a relationship with you, He desires a close and abiding one with all of His children. If people fail to recognize the depths of His love, they’ll miss out on great blessings.

He has an everlasting love, He says to all of us today as He has throughout the ages, that He wants us to come to Him, and have an intimate relationship with Him.  The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. (Jeremiah 3:13 KJV)  

His heart is pure and open, as it so clearly demonstrates throughout the entire Bible.  He is our Father and much like our earthly fathers, longs for a close and honest relationship with His children.  The relationship we share with our Father is an individualized as our DNA. So, although the relationships will be different in how we relate and speak with Him, the connection should be one and the same. We are all HIS and He created us. We belong to Him.  We all share that common denominator.

Second, they may view God as a legalistic God.  He is not a legalistic God.  He doesn’t sit around looking at us, thinking “hmm, let’s see, whom can I condemn today?”  Nor does he sit and scrutinize our actions while investigating our motives. He knows our hearts, and He sees our very soul.  The very soul He held in His hands as He created it. He wants to instead, “set us free” and that is what He did when He sent Jesus. He loved/loves us enough to have sent His Son for us. Embrace that love…hold it firmly, and shine your light from within to all those in your path.

Third, they may be afraid of Him. God calls us in reverence of His holiness, but not to be afraid. He has said so many times in His Word, “Do not be afraid!”    The following are just a few of the more familiar scriptures that show us clearly that the Lord does not want us to be afraid:

After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. (Genesis 15:1 KJV) 

And the Lord said unto Joshua, Fear not, neither be thou dismayed: take all the people of war with thee, and arise, go up to Ai: see, I have given into thy hand the king of Ai, and his people, and his city, and his land: (Joshua 8:1 KJV)

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (Luke 1:30 KJV)

God loves us the way we are and accepts us fully without any qualms or motives. There really isn’t anything we can do that’ll make us more acceptable, He loves us just the way we are.  He doesn’t like sin but…He loves us, fully and completely just as we are. He forgives us our sins, when we call them to mind and repent of them, thereby allowing us to fellowship with Him further, and opens us up to blessings in abundance. God is a God of forgiveness and love and acceptance.  He also promises restoration.

How can one not enjoy that? Love, acceptance, restoration…and fellowship with your creator, does it get any better than that?

He enjoys being with us. Spend time with Him and begin to trust Him to meet all of your needs.  He’ll never let you down.

Are you ready for the best relationship you’ll ever have in your life?

“Father, thank You for Your love and acceptance, may I always do all according to Your will and purpose in my life, now and always, in Jesus’ name, Amen.”