“Be strong and very
courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not
turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever
you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day
and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you
will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong
and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God
will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:6-9).
The Israelites had wandered
for many years knowing God's Promised Land waited. When it was just within their
grasp, they just couldn't face the giants in order to get it. They sat for five
years knowing their blessing was just within reach. But they also knew that they
would have to fight for their promise. It would not just be handed to them on a
silver platter. But they were afraid.
Does this sound like us? We
can see our promise, but we just can't make the commitment to reach it or the
fear of what it will cost holds us back. Something stands in the way that God
wishes us to address, and the very thought of facing that giant in our life
keeps us from the joy that lies ahead. Blessings require obedience and
commitment. We want to be blessed, but many times we don't want to pay the cost.
God told His people then, and
He tells His people now, to be strong and courageous, to be obedient and
committed. Know the Word. Fill your mind and heart with its promise and the
strength that it brings to receive His promise. Do not be afraid, and never be
discouraged. Reach out and make the commitment that is needed to receive His
promise. Disillusionment and discouragement will vanish with commitment to Him.
And you will receive the promise.
“So
do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to
persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he
has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36).
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