BE VERY COURAGEOUS!

BE VERY COURAGEOUS!

Josh 1:6-8

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.

8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

           Only twice do we find the word “courageous” in Scripture. Both times it is God speaking to Joshua! Now, we usually think of Joshua as a mighty warrior but God saw his fear and urged him to be a man of courage.

           The Hebrew word for “courage” is ‘amats and means to “be alert, physically or mentally.” It means “to confirm, establish, fortify, harden and prevail.” It means to do all that you can to win even if the outcome is uncertain. Even greater courage is needed when the outcome is impossible like the circumstance of the three Hebrew children facing the fiery furnace.

Dan 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.

17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.

18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

           Charles Haddon Spurgeon said that our cowardice has often subjected the gospel to contempt. His opinion makes perfect sense when you remember that we testify that our God is the Great God and able to do anything. He is a loving God and cares for his children. He has promised to be with us even through the valley of the shadow of death. His resources are without limit and His strength knows no measure. When he bears His arm for combat all his foes fall down. How could we not find courage when standing behind this Champion?

           Satan is a bully and most bullies will relent when challenged. Today you will meet your own bully. He will tell you that you are stupid and weak. He will intimidate you every time you turn toward righteousness. But, like the Hebrew children, stand up to his bullying and declare your faith in an invincible God. Let the Devil know that he may win the skirmish but he will ultimately lose the war. Let him know that you may be a casualty but he will ultimately be vanquished. Only be thou strong and very courageous!

Dear Lord, today the bully will threaten us with the fiery furnace. Let us face it unafraid. AMEN