Living a Christian life can be scary and discouraging at times. We all feel it at one time or another. God understands that and encourages His people to be ‘strong and courageous’ sixteen times and twelve times not to be ‘afraid or discouraged’. Today we’re going to start a short devotional series to look at four key parts of our Christian life where we need to be ‘strong and courageous’ instead of being ‘afraid or discouraged’. Let’s look at those instances to be on-guard against fear and discouragement.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. (Ps 34:4)
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand. (Isa 41:10)
18 Then Jesus came near and said to them, “… And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Mt 28:18-20)
Let’s get started.
7 “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you …” (Josh 1:7)
Although this passage is often cited and quoted in churches, few people realize what God was calling Joshua on ‘how’ he was to be strong and courageous. The Almighty was instructing Joshua to be strong and courageous to carefully follow His Word! Did you ever notice that before?
Why do you think God told Joshua to be strong and courageous to follow His Word? Well, I believe He told him (and us) that because following God’s Word is not always easy and some of His instruction is hard or scary for us to follow. It’s hard and scary for us because Scripture calls us to live a life contrary to our sinful and worldly nature. That’s why we need to be strong and courageous to follow God’s Word … because it isn’t easy or for the faint at heart.
Can you think of something in Scripture God says to do that is scary or hard for you to do?
Here are a few examples to think about:
- Love your enemies and pray for them (Mt 5:44) – it can be very hard to pray for people who have been harmful or obnoxious to you
- Forgive people who have wronged you no matter how many times it happens (Mt 6:14-15; 18:21-22) – it can be hard to forgive people, even loved ones, who wrong you and especially when they do it over and over again
- Go and make disciples (Mt 28:19) – it can be frightening to witness the Gospel to somebody because you’re afraid of rejection, mocking, or persecution
- Take up your cross and follow Christ (Mt 16:24) – this command is hard and scary because it calls for self-sacrifice and endure hardships
God understands that following His Word is not easy for us. That is why He encouraged Joshua to be ‘strong and courageous to carefully observe’ all His instruction (which was the entire written Bible at that time).
7 “Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right or the left, so that you will have success wherever you go. 8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.” (Josh 1:7-8)
God knows that it requires strength, courage, and work on our part to follow His Word. It does not just happen naturally for as long as we are in this world and in our sinful bodies. Throughout our lives you and I need to consciously fight to obey Scripture instead of giving into our natural feelings of fear, selfishness, or laziness. We need to make following God’s Word our top priority in life. Notice that God said to Joshua that ‘above all’ he was supposed to be strong and courageous to follow God’s instruction. ‘Above all’ means above everything else … following God’s Word was Joshua’s top priority, and it should be yours too.
Following God’s Word is evidence of your love for Him:
If you love Me, you will keep My commands. (Jn 14:15)
Jesus answered, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word.” (Jn 14:23)
Following God’s Word brings blessings to your life (Josh 1:8; Dt 28:1-6; Pv 13:13; Jms 1:25; Ps 19:7-11; Jer 7:23) because God’s Word is there to guide, help, mature, and complete you (2 Tim 3:16-17). Following it also brings you into a closer relationship with God (Jn 14:21,23).
Be strong and courageous to follow God’s Word. Don’t give up because it’s hard or scary, fight to follow it.
Reap the blessings in your life by following His Word.
Show your love to God by following His Word.
Think about it
Do you read and know God’s Word?
Do you try to live by it?
Have you found it hard, scary or discouraging at times to follow it? How?
Do you force yourself to live by it anyway?
Will you force yourself to follow His Word even when it’s hard or scary? How will you motivate yourself?
Does it help to know that God promises blessings for following His Word? Does it help to know that following His Word is a way of showing your love?
