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Week 9–Day 1– Courage Through Faith

Scripture reading for February 23: Joshua 1:8-9 “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 good success. 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.”

It has been said that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to do what is right in spite of fear. God had placed Joshua in leadership in Israel because he had demonstrated faith and courage as one of the twelve spies. Joshua believed that God had given the Israelites the land of promise and that they could take it in spite of obvious opposition from armed occupants already there. Now Moses had died and Joshua was called by God to lead the nation. God reminded Joshua that He would be with him as He had been with Moses. He promised Joshua that if He would meditate on God’s laws and speak them out of his mouth in faith, he would have prosperity and success. None of the armed forces in the land would be able to stand against him.

It is interesting to note that God reminded Joshua not to be afraid or dismayed. Fear and fretting go together and are opposed to faith and courage. But God knew that if Joshua would meditate on His Word and apply it in faith, that courage and conquering would naturally take place. God would watch over His Word to perform it. (Jeremiah 1:12) Faith is a decision of the will to believe God’s Word.

As first responders, we must develop faith and courage in order to effectively do our job of helping those in need. An assurance that we are not alone, but that God is with us gives us courage. Knowledge of God’s Word and promises helps us to be bold and calm in approaching danger. Have you declared your faith in God and are you meditating on His Word and speaking it?

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your promise of continually being with us as Your children. Thank You for Your amazing Word that brings faith when heard and courage to act in times of danger. Amen.

Children who are mighty in the land!

Scripture reading for June 25: Psalms 111-118

We all want the best for our children!  As a parent, I will sacrifice for my children that they might fulfill their destiny and become great in the Lord and honor Him.  I will do whatever it takes to provide for them, protect them, and instruct them to fulfill their God-given purpose!  The readings for today give us the secret of how to secure the blessing of God on our children and see them become ‘mighty in the land’! (Psalm 112:2)

Psalm 111 praises the Lord for His faithfulness and mighty deeds and works on behalf of those who fear and honor Him.  God has been gracious and compassionate on those who fear Him.  He has provided food for them and kept His covenant! (Psalm 111:4-5)  He has given them the land of other nations and shown His great power to His people!  (Psalm 111:6)  God has provided redemption for His people and given them His holy and awesome Name! (Psalm 111:9) These wonderful blessings from God brings a holy fear and respect which is the beginning of all wisdom and a successful life.

Psalm 112 continues in this same vein of thought.  The fear of the Lord is the key to blessing of our offspring!  When a man fears the Lord, he finds great delight in God’s Word and commands!  He reads and meditates on the Word of God and applies it to his life.  The application of truth because of respect and honor for God brings prosperity and success! (Joshua 1:8-9)  (Psalm 112:1-3)  God’s blessing is on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayers.  His face is set against the wicked who do not fear Him.  God longs to bless His children and make them mighty in the land.  They are made mighty to be a testimony of the goodness and favor on those who fear and respect the One in supreme authority!

Those who fear the Lord will have light even in darkness!  Remember the children of Israel had light during the plague of darkness! (Exodus 10:21-23)  Those who fear the Lord are generous and give.  They conduct their affairs with justice, doing what is fair and right in the sight of God because they fear and respect Him.  Because of this, they will never be shaken! (Psalm 112:5-6)  They will have no fear of bad news of enemy attack, war, or economic downturn! (Psalm 112:8-10)  In the end, the wicked will waste away and come to nothing!  Those who trust in the Lord and fear Him will lack nothing!

Does your life reflect the fear of the Lord and confidence in Him? What steps might you take today to help your children become mighty in the land?

Lead Me on Level Ground!

Scripture reading for March 30th:  Joshua 1-4, Psalm 143, Luke 14

Key Scriptures: Luke 14:25-30  “Now great crowds accompanied Him, and He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.  Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?  Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.'”

Joshua 1:8-9 “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 good success.”  

Jesus taught that there were priorities that must be decided upon if a person chose to become His disciple.  Family could not be first.  Our own life in soul and body must be placed lower than following Jesus.  There was a cross for each disciple that they must chose to bear.  Successful discipleship would come by full surrender and obedience to God’s Word and Christ’s teaching.

Faith confession and prayer:  Lord, I have set You and Your Word as my priority in my life.  Help me to keep Your Word in my heart and on my lips as I walk with You to the promised land.

Psalm 143:10  “Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God!  Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground!”  

Strength and Courage!

Scripture reading for March 15th:  Joshua 1-4, Luke 10

Key Scriptures: Luke 10: 1-3  “After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of Him, two by two, into every town and place where He Himself was about to go.  And He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.  Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.”

Jesus gathered the larger group of His disciples and sent them out two by two.  He prefaced His mission with a command for them to pray to “The Lord of the Harvest” for laborers.  After they prayed, He commanded them to answer their prayer by going!  Prayer has a way of motivating the prayer and opening them to Hear Jesus and obey.

Joshua 1:8-9  “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 you way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  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.”

Prayer:  Lord, thank You for your encouragement and strength.  Help me to go forth today to walk with You and possess the land of promise.  Amen.