Choose Courage

Choose Courage

 

After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel.

Joshua 1:1‭-‬2 NKJV

 

All of us have had someone that has gone before us to lay the foundation in our walk with Christ.

 

Joshua had gone alongside Moses. Saw how he spent time with the Lord. Saw the importance it was to trust the Lord.

Joshua would see first hand what it was like to lead people to the Land Flowing with Milk and Honey!

The effort. The knowledge. The wisdom. The patience. The endurance to see the people of God make it even when they didn’t see it or want it.

 

Moses breathed his last and went to be with the Father that He served so well.

The story doesn’t end here.

There was still work to do. The people that had been wandering about the wilderness for so long. They still needed someone to show them the way! They have heard of the Promised Land. Now they were at the edge of it!  Finally!

 

But Moses is dead. How are they going to cross this Jordan and go into the Land that God Himself Promised that they would possess.

Sometimes it is not a matter of how but who.

The Lord chose Joshua.

Can you imagine the thoughts that would run through His mind?

We get caught up in our minds. How is this even possible? How is this going to work? How about this or that. We sprinkle in our doubt. Then fears start to add up.

Then we become paralyzed in our actions but not our thoughts.

The Lord has all of His plans made. He knows exactly what He is doing, and He does it with the greatest precision.

The only thing He needs is someone obedient enough to fulfill the plan.

 

You see Moses had his Great Commission.

He brought the Lord’s peoples out of the bondage of Egypt.

Moses watched over them. Guided them. But it was not going to be his duty to take them from the wilderness into the Promised Land.

 

The Lord speaks to Joshua,

“Arise”.

 

Joshua has a choice to make, as we all do.

 

This command the Lord gives to Joshua is in need of a response. The response that Joshua gives will have an impact for many, many, generations to come. Either it will be for the Glory of God’s Kingdom to show many to the Promised Land! Or it will be seeing these lost souls still wandering in the darkness of the wilderness.

It all depends if he has the courage to arise.

Remember this, the Lord will always have His plans fulfilled. If He has called you to a duty for the Kingdom that in itself is an honor, if you arise.

The King of Glory will always accomplish what He has set out to do even if you don’t choose to hear His call!

If you do not arise when He calls, He will use someone else to accomplish the work.

You will miss out on the Blessing that comes with that call!

Don’t let fear, doubt and worry steal what the Lord has for you!

 

The Lord tells Joshua to arise! But how?

How could I do the impossible?

Why does God choose us?

 

The Lord tells Joshua something that I think we overlook.

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.

Joshua 1:5

 

No man has the ability of God unless God gives that man the ability!

If the Lord of the Heavenly Host says that no man shall stand before us, do we believe this.

This is an amazing promise from The Lord!

If we are doing what He has called us to do then there is nothing that can get in the way. There is no one that can stop the plans of the Lord.

If God is for us then who can be against us!

Beautiful sayings. Great Battle Cries.

But in our emotional doubtful feeble minds it takes more than a Battle Cry.

It’s going to take courage!

Courage to get up. Courage to continue. Courage to face another day. Courage to believe God and His Word. Courage to believe and Follow His Son.

 

The definition of courage is this,

Having mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty

The Lord was calling Joshua to venture into an unknown land.

The Lord calls us to venture into unknown lands.

When we go into these uncharted territories there’s danger. Difficult situations will come up.

There is always fear of the unknown.

 

So many times in Scripture there is a ‘fear not’ command followed by the command to be courageous.

We must have mental strength to trust and know the promises of God.

We must have the moral compass of God Righteousness to guide us.

By all means get courage!

If we cannot muster up the courage to do the work of the Kingdom, we will never do the work of the Kingdom!

 

Then God famously tells Joshua,

 

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

 

Then the Father of all Creation gives us these promises

I will be with you!

I will not leave you or forsake you!

He is saying to trust Him.Above your doubt.  Above you fear. Above what you think your abilities are. Trust that the God of the mountain tops is the same God that is in the Valley. No matter what point of life you’re in, He is with us. No matter where He is sending us that as He was with Moses he is with us!

As Followers of Christ we have something that Moses or Joshua never had, the Power of the Holy Spirit living inside each and every person that confesses, believes and follows the Son of God!

This Spirit that gives us the comfort and peace we need to go out. The strength to arise. The knowledge and wisdom needed to complete the work. The assurance that God is with us wherever we go!

He is there to give us strength, to comfort us, to give us peace. To heal and restore us. He is there to love us and show His mercy and His grace of the Father. He is there to bring us peace. Peace in our hearts and minds and our souls.

But it’s only through Our Savior Jesus that we can ever have the possibility of this promise. He is called the Prince of Peace. All of those that believe and follow Him have the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will bring peace and comfort that we need in these times.

 

The Lord has given us a call today!

What is it? What has He specifically called you to do?

 

Arise! Have courage!

Do you have enough courage to answer it!

Today listen for God’s voice of confirmation. Ask Him what His plan is for you today.

Listen for His call for you to arise.

Allow Him to guide you.

Have the courage to stand knowing that the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!

 

Arise!

He will be with you!

He will not leave you!

He will not forsake you!

Be strong in Him!

Have courage today when you venture out to do the Lord’s Work! Persevere through His grace and promises.

Withstand any danger, fear, or difficulty knowing and understanding that no man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life when you are doing the will of the Father!

 

Choose courage today!

 

 

Pastor Ed