God’s Heart Today (G♥️T)
A Daily Devotional with David Olatona
03/09/2020
BE STRONG IN THE LORD
Main Text
Joshua 1:1-9
Watchword
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9 NKJV
By nature we are all timid and weak, God understands that. But He commands us, “to be strong, not terrified but bold.”How do we get this boldness, this confidence? The answer is given here: “For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” We must believe this. If we really believed that the eternal, infinite, almighty, all-holy, all-just God is with us, our entire outlook about life will change. (Joshua 1:9b)
From the beginning of the Scriptures to the end, the most distinguishing reason for us to rejoice and have strength, confidence, and courage, is the promise of God: “I will be with you always, even unto the end of the ages” (Matthew 28:20). Who is this God who promises to be with us always? The self-existing, self-sufficient, covenant Lord, the “I AM THAT I AM” is also our great Warrior and Savior who fights every battle for us and delivers us out of the hand of our enemies.
Being strong and courageous usually doesn’t require any grand gestures. More often, it is made up of small decisions we make every day that show our trust in God. As we prayerfully seek His direction, study His word, and follow His example each day, we will have the courage to let go of fear and face our challenges with faith. As you turn to Jesus Christ in faith and follow His counsel to be strong and of a good courage, you will feel the assurance that He is always with you. (Exodus 33:14)
Confession
Oh Lord help me to be strong and to rely on You in all the situations of life that I may face, knowing that You are with me, wherever I go.
Prayer
Oh Lord give me the grace to hold on to your counsel and remain strong in you to the end. Amen.
Additional Reading
Isaiah 43:1-2
1 Chronicles 28:20