Five Days with Joshua
Day One - Be Strong and Courageous
"Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel: 'Be strong and bold, for you are the one who will go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their ancestors to give them; and you will put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you." Deuteronomy Ch31:7
Moses tells all Israel that he will not be completing the journey with them, into the promised land, and tells Joshua that he will fulfil the Lords will. Moses understands that Joshua will feel afraid and discouraged without him and reassures him by telling him to be strong and courageous, because the Lord goes before him and will not forsake him.
When an important person in your life, someone that you have respected, trusted and loved leaves you, life feels so empty and lonely. You can feel so very afraid, numb and scared for the future. It feels like such a huge task to face life alone. It is very easy to forget that you are not alone and that God is your companion, he will not forsake, abandon, you. Spend time with God today and through your relationship with him you can draw strength and courage to help you through each moment, hour or day, just as you need it. The Lord goes ahead of you so that when you arrive he is already there, in every situation. You are not alone.
Prayer
Lord, as I acknowledge the loss of those in my life that I love and have been parted from, I pray that through the overwhelming emptiness I am able to see and hear you and that I am able to draw the strength and courage from you that I need, not only for myself but also for the others that share my loss. Amen
____________________________________
Day Two - Be Strong and Courageous
"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them." Joshua 1:6
Joshua was a faithful servant to Moses and the Lord, but would still have struggled with many challenges through his 40 years in the wilderness. When the call came from the Lord to step forward, the Lord reassured him, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous.”
When you are called to step up for God, do not be overwhelmed by the difficult memories of the past, traumas and what you thought were failures, but instead gain your strength and courage from those events. What did you really learn about yourself? Whatever happened God was always there with you, maybe you were not aware at the time and felt abandoned, but he was there, providing what you needed, pulling you through those times, holding your hand, sending someone to support and guide you, sitting and weeping with you and always listening to you. Remember that you are here today, standing in that victory of that survival. God is with you and gives you the encouragement you need, equipping you for today, be strong and courageous.
Prayer
Lord, I give thanks for all that you have given to me, especially the strength and courage to get through past challenges and traumas, I know that you will give me all that I need for today. When my human fear and anxieties overwhelm me help me to remember that it is you who gives me what I need, your reassurance, help me to be strong and courageous today. Amen.
____________________________________
Day Three - Be Strong and Very Courageous
“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." Joshua 1:7
Again instructing Joshua, the Lord commanded him to obey the Law that Moses had given, to keep it on his lips and not to deviate from it.
When you follow exactly the instructions for flat pack furniture you will be pleased that the finished article looks like the original picture and it is completed, you do not have to refer to the instructions again and maybe even through them away. However, as humans we are not completed, we are always a work in progress. As you are challenged daily it is all too easy to become overwhelmed by choices, mistakes, other’s expectations, guilt at doing what you shouldn’t or failing to do what you should. The list of life challenges is endless. You lose confidence in yourself and your ability to stay strong and courageous. You can become lost. You need to refer to the instructions/directions again and again.
So, in order to live the Christian life that God wants and intended for you, and to face the challenges that he will set before you, then you need to immerse yourself in his word today and every day. Here you'll find all that you need.Instructions for living every day.
As a human being you experience a huge range of feelings, both emotional and physical and these tell you what you need. If you are cold you may need warmth, tired you’ll need rest, scared you’ll need reassurance. Sometimes you won’t be able to identify what you feel or need. Some people are not able to do this. Look to the Bible, in it you will find guidance, clarity, reassurance and encouragement to give you strength and courage. You will be reminded that you are loved.
Prayer
Lord, thank you that you have given me your word, in order that I may live the life that you intended for me today. Help me to prioritise the time to read your word daily. Through the good and difficult times, please help me to remember to draw close to you in the form of your word, given to me by you. Here I will find the strength and courage to live each day as you intended, Amen
____________________________________
Day Four - Be strong and Courageous
"The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.”" Deuteronomy 31:23
The Lord tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and that Joshua WILL bring the Israelites into the promised land and that the Lord WILL be with him.
Good, healthy relationships are built on trust and respect and grow stronger over time. Often relationships end because one person believes that the other isn’t ‘trying’ hard enough to make it work or make it better. Your relationship with God it isn’t like that. God loves you, he gave Jesus to die for you, in your place, so that you can live in a relationship with him. God still loves you when you are not able to ‘try’, restricted by circumstances or emotions and not knowing what you need and what to ask for. Spend time with God, sit with him, walk, listen to him, ask, receive and trust, share your deepest thoughts, hopes and fears. That way when God calls you and tells you what you WILL do and that he WILL be there, he knows what you need, you can be strong and courageous because you have faith in him and trust him.
Prayer
Lord, help me, through my relationship with you, to believe that I am able to do the things that you ask, knowing that you are with me. I find it hard to be strong and courageous because of my own fears. Let your voice be louder than mine. Let our relationship be the strength and courage in my life, Amen.
____________________________________
Day Five - Be strong and courageous
“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 1:9
God says “Do not be afraid.” Fear is based in the moment, being scared of something that is happening right now. Wanting to stand and fight or to run away. Therefore, you need to be strong and courageous in this moment, whichever reaction the situation requires. Anxiety is fear projected into the future. Anxiety can, and for some will, paralyse (or freeze) your ability to move forward, yet you do not really know what the future will present with.
Today be strong and courageous and ask God what he wants you to do for him. Do not let fear and anxiety hold you back. Break free from these restraints. When you are scared you need reassurance, yet God has already reassured you by saying “the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go”. You can be further reassured by aclnowledging that he knows and loves you, he listens to you, and you have a trusting and faithful relationship. Listen to God. Let God be your secure base, stand strong with him as your foundation, so that if or when you are challenged by life, wherever you are, at whatever level, you will be able to manage because you stand firmly in his love and your faith. Being strong and courageous in that moment, allowing yourself to step forward to face that which you are called to do.
Prayer
Lord, I am often held back by fear and anxiety and yet I want to be strong and courageous for you. Caught up in the battle. Let me overcome my fears, let me receive your reassurance. Help me to move forward and do things that I never thought possible, that you call me to do, for you and in your name. Free at last, Amen.