Recently, I went about creating some wall posters with varied writings. Some were Scriptures I wanted to have before me to read and declare throughout the day. Then I had others with some words of wisdom and inspiration of my own. I want to share one of those with you today.
This one has three short sentences upon which I will elaborate.
1. Never give up.
Joshua was given orders to take the people of Israel into the Promised Land. It was a daunting task. He had served faithfully under the great leader Moses. Now he was being directed to fill those big shoes. The people were not asking him to take the reins. God was commanding him to arise and go over the River Jordan and conquer the enemies they would encounter. With the orders came some much needed inspiration and assurance.
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9.
Two things to do and two things to reject.
First on the positive side, be strong. Conquering is not for the faint of heart. When I asked a martial arts instructor what it takes to be a champion, he replied, “Heart:” As the organ, “heart” is within. It is an inner sense of strength, of confidence, a winner mindset. As the organ, you must keep pumping, circulating, functioning. It is a vital organ.
Secondly, Courage. Do not cower in fear, do not be intimidated or bullied. I like Proverbs 28:1: The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Roar back at the enemies, the circumstances, the impossibilities. You are of the lion tribe. The tribe of Judah. Act like it. Be strong, be courageous.
On the other hand, reject fear and dismay. “Fear not”, is an oft given command in the word of God, both in the Old and New Testaments.
Dismay, I parsed out, is the nullifying of may. May is a permitted action. You can and should proceed with the plan. Dismay implies discouragement brought about by difficult circumstances where you are made to feel you cannot go on. Be like the little engine that could.
“I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.” And it did!
Now this is not some cheap, modern motivational speech with nothing to support it except for some charismatic guy who charged you mucho dinero to attend his pep rally.
Read the rest of the story.
For the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
Joshua knew God had been with Moses. God assures Joshua of his equal companionship in verse 5 and then he closes the matter here, declaring Joshua will not be able to be out of the presence of God.
A long journey awaited Joshua. but wherever he went, wherever the sole of his foot tread, he would have the presence of God with him.
A man could not ask for more. Joshua fulfilled his mission. Fear nor dismay could deter him. He remained strong and courageous. And he never gave up.
This scripture is significant in my life. In all my travels for the Lord I know He is with me. Giving up is not part of the equation.
Whatever is your assignment, rest assured, the Lord thy God is with thee!
Never give up! -PJF-
(We will continue this message next week.)
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