"Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid. Don't be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go."
(Joshua 1:9 WEB)
This devotion is taken from The Writing Desk 27's book 'Daily Despatch: Bible Devotions for your Working Week', a four-week long collection of daily devotions.
Sometimes on our voyage of faith, the Lord requires us to be brave. In this verse, God calls Joshua to step into the imposing shoes of Moses and lead the Israelites into Canaan. He commands him to be both strong and full of courage. While these words are demanding, they convey the sensitivity of a God who understands the enormity of the task before us and promises to be with us.
It is daunting to walk in faith. Through Scripture, we encounter men and women who trembled at their call, and still said yes. Take Gideon. He considered himself nothing even within his own family, yet God looked at him and saw a great warrior (Judges 6)! God sees beyond our weakness to our heart. He has big plans and big foes and knows who to use.
Be assured that if God calls you, he will equip you. He works with our fears and personality, just as he guided timid Gideon through persistent requests for reassurance and onto the feats of a warrior. When we, like Joshua or Gideon, say yes to God though sore afraid, we can be sure that God will be with us too wherever he calls us.
Where God calls, he travels; on his path, there is provision. Be brave!
For more journeys with Joshua, and to unpack the principles behind this devotion, try my four-part Joshua Bible Study 'Courage for the Road' and find hope for times of crisis, challenge or uncertainty.
Copyright © Sharmila Meadows 2022
The World English Bible (WEB) is a Public Domain (no copyright) Modern English translation of the Holy Bible.
Has this devotion encouraged you to read Joshua? If so, what does his story say to you?
Dear Readers, thanks for checking in. Which Bible characters or passages inspire you at times of crisis or struggle? Do share your thoughts and encourage others on their road!