Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Strength & Courage
Devotion time in the morning with Bee Get Even. He suggested that I read Joshua 1 with him. God promised Joshua will "make your way prosperous" and then "have good success". I was curious about this repeition in the chapter.
Jos 1:6 "Be strong and of good courage..."
Jos 1:7 "Only be strong and very courageous..."
Jos 1:9 "Be strong and of good courage..."
Jos 1:18 "Only be strong and of good courage."
Be strong and of good courage. Why did God repeated that phrase four times to Joshua? Why did Joshua need to 'be strong and of good courage' ONLY? Why did he need strength and courage to fulfill God's calling upon him? I searched the concordance for the word 'strong' and discovered three reasons why I may need strength and courage when my faith in God is tested.
- First reason: I need strength and courage for battle.
Psa 24:8
Who is this King of glory?
The Lord strong and mighty,
The Lord mighty in battle.
What do I need to battle against? I read Eph 6 and realised that this 'battle' is not a physical battle, but a spiritual one against 'the wiles of the devil'.
Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethen, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
- Second reason: I need strength and courage when I am weak.
2 Cor 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefor most gladly I will rather baost in my infirmities, that the p0wer of Christ may rest upon me.
2 Cor 12:10 Therefore I take plpeasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Third reason: I need strength and weakness to bear the scruples of the weak.
Rom 15:1 We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
What can I expect if I obey the Word?
Joshua 1:7 "Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go."
Posted by Benjamin at 10:00 AM