EHP Day 26-Courage From God’s Presence
Joshua 1:5, 9
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.
“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.”
Should you be reading this during a stretch of life free from much challenge or care, you may be inclined to yawn. But for those of you who are facing genuine high-hurdles, you may just want to lean in.
What are those hurdles for you? Do you have anyone’s life in your hands these days—your kids for example? What’s your awareness level that your leadership in their lives, for good or for ill, will likely determine their future? And can you pull the kind of leadership and influence they need on you own? Or, are you influencing a department, a business, an organization? As a team member, or perhaps as the leader, do you sense others out of step with you because of your commitment to being God’s woman or man in that role? How are you going to thrive (not just survive) in your spot? Again, can you pull it off on your own?
You can dig around the Biblical background sources to better appreciate the full extent of Joshua’s challenge as he stood on the far side of the Jordan River. Yeah, with 2 million wondering what to do next and needing a home. On the other bank, pagan warriors by the thousands in scores of fortified cities eager to take you, your wife and kids, and your nation “out” as soon as you dare cross over. It’s you or them. Where will Joshua find sufficient confidence to take his people across?
Needed: God’s very presence. God’s clear promise. The unseen God of Joshua’s fathers to be his strength and courage in all the battles to come, whenever and wherever they might arise. You too?
Journal Notes