Be Strong and Courageous
Scripture Passage: Deuteronomy 31:1-8 (NASB)
So Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 And he said to them, “I am 120 years old today; I am no longer able to go out and come in, and the Lord has told me, ‘You shall not cross this Jordan.’ 3 It is the Lord your God who is going to cross ahead of you; He Himself will destroy these nations before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua is the one who is going to cross ahead of you, just as the Lord has spoken. 4 And the Lord will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 The Lord will turn them over to you, and you will do to them in accordance with all the commandments which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or in dread of them, for the Lord your God is the One who is going with you. He will not desert you or abandon you.”
7 Then Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you will go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you will give it to them as an inheritance. 8 And the Lord is the one who is going ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not desert you or abandon you. Do not fear and do not be dismayed.”
SUMMARY
Moses talks to the Israelites to be strong and courageous and do not be afraid. He tells people that he is going to step down and Joshua will lead people to cross the Jordan. He tells Joshua that the Lord himself will go before him and be with him. He tells Joshua whatever obstacles he faces, do not be afraid for God is with him and the Israelites.
MEDITATION & REFLECTION
Deuteronomy 31:6 “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you.” This passage is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. I remember this verse always comforted me when I go through difficult times in my life. Whenever I felt anxious or worried, this verse helped me to be still and know He is my God.
APPLICATION
Even though I know that God is always present and He is in control, I forget very easily and get worried and anxious whenever I face challenges in my life. I have been very distracted with my life and spend less time reading God’s word lately. When I am in this state, I know I get anxious or worried more easily because I trust myself more than God. I want to be more intentional about spending quiet time with God and seek Him every day.
PRAYER
Thank you Father for being always present with us and being there for us. You are always with us, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. I want to put my complete trust in you and have confidence of who I am in Christ. Help me not to forget how you carried me through during the seasons of wilderness and help me fix my eyes on you Jesus. I also pray for those who are suffering from the anxiety and panic disorder especially during this time of pandemic. Please help them replace their fear and anxiety with your goodness and Hope. Help me be the one who shares the Good news with them and give them new hope.
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