Daily Devotional

-March 4, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Be Strong And Of Good Courage For The Lord Is With Us-

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord God is with you wherever you go.”

(Joshua 1:9).

Joshua became the leader of the people of Israel after the death of Moses. He then led them into the Promised Land. The Lord called him, equipped him, and strengthened him for this important mission. In this passage, Joshua 1:1-9, the Lord instructs him what to do: “observe to do according to all the law which Moses commanded him, do not turn to the right hand or to the left, and meditate on the law day and night, and observe to do it all.”

Today’s verse is God’s encouragement before Joshua led through the people across the Jordan River into the land that God promised them. Like, Joshua, we need to be encouraged, challenged, and strengthened to fulfill the ministry to which God has called us to. The devil opposes us all the way; the world attracts us and distracts us; and the flesh pulls us toward sin. We must be victorious! We need to remember to be strong and of good courage, not to be afraid or dismayed, and that the Lord is with us wherever we go.

• Be strong and of good courage – The soldier of Christ is strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, puts on the whole armor of God, and stands against the schemes of the devil. Our strength is from the Lord, not from us. He gives us the victory. Man by nature, through Adam is weak and cowardly; man through Christ is strong and courageous through the Holy Spirit.

• Do not be afraid nor dismayed – Fear paralyses us and impedes us in our spiritual growth and warfare. Faith, on the other hand, helps us overcome our fears and gives us confidence and assurance. The world, the flesh, and the devil are defeated foes. Jesus conquered them at the cross. The devil is a roaring lion, but he cannot harm us. He uses fear and intimidation to scare us.

• The Lord is with us wherever we go – What a tremendous promise! He is with is all the time, wherever we go. Joshua 1:5 says, “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.” Before Jesus ascended back to heaven, he told His disciples, “… Lo, I am with you always, even until the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20c).

Therefore, let us be strong and of good courage, not being afraid or dismayed, for the Lord is with us. We are on the Lord’s side, and He is on our side. God tells us in Isaiah 54:17, “‘No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me,’ says the Lord.”

Have a blessed and victorious day. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean