“ONLY BE THOU STRONG”

MEMORY VERSE: 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. Joshua 1:7

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Obadiah

BIBLE READING: Joshua 1:1-9

In Joshua 1:1-9, the bible presents to us one of the most difficult periods in the life of Joshua. During this period, he was faced with two major issues. The first one was the loss of one of the most important figures in his life.  Moses was more than a master to him; he was a father. The death of Moses left him emotionally drained. He was weak and confused. Whilst mourning the loss of his father-in-the-Lord/ discipler/ teacher/ mentor the Lord spoke and said "be thou strong". What a caring God we serve! To those who have lost important figures or things in their lives. Maybe you have just lost one of your parents, or your partner. Maybe you have just had a miscarriage. It could be that you have just lost an opportunity of a life time. Maybe you were in a relationship and the other party called it off. It could even be that days before your wedding, your husband-to-be called the marriage off. And you are drained and confused, this is the Word of the Lord to you "be thou strong". Friend, be strong! What has happened to you is not the end of the world. The Lord is also saying "do according to the law", in other words, continue serving the Lord. Don't backslide. Don't turn to alcohol, or stop going to church. Don't go back into the world. This is what the enemy wants but Jesus is saying don't because all will be well.  

The second issue he faced was life after the death of Moses and leading the children of Israel to the promise land. This was even more difficult for Joshua, knowing the kind of people the children of Israel was. They were a difficult bunch to lead. He knew what Aaron went through in their hands when Moses went to receive the Ten Commandments. They put so much pressure on Aaron that he gave in and created a god for them from their earrings. Even Moses with his military background, mental toughness, anointing of the Holy Ghost, and all that still cracked under pressure. He knew their attitude,complaints,murmuring caused Moses, a man God testified to be the meekest man on the earth, to 'blow his top' and sinned against God. Not to forget how they almost killed him and Caleb for encouraging them to go and possess the promise land. If Moses with all his qualifications struggled, how much he - his servant. Joshua didn't own a 'rod of God' like Moses. He didn't bring plagues on the Egyptians. He had never parted any sea like Moses ( Exodus 14:21-31). He could not bring Manna from heaven like Moses did ( Exodus 16:14-35). He was yet to bring out water from the rock like Moses ( Exodus 17:5-7). There was nothing in his CV except he was Moses' servant and yet, God wants him to lead the children of Israel to the promise land. The word of the Lord to him was "only be thou strong and very courageous." To you who have just been promoted at work, or in church. To you who the Lord has called into ministry or asked to go and head a parish. To you who have just been asked to lead a project or about to get married. To you who have just found himself in a totally different place, the Lord is saying to you all "Be strong and of a good courage". He is also saying as i was with Moses (or those who had come before you ) so i will be with thee. I will not fail thee, not forsake thee (Joshua 1:5). 

NOTE: Be strong not because you feel like it but because the God of heaven says so. 

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Bro Samuel | Reaching the world