Devotion Corner
Joshua 1:7 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.
Following the Lord and living by His commandments and precepts is a daily battle. We not only battle against our own sinful flesh, but we contend with devilish powers and principalities of the air also. To stride into such battles requires great courage and true strength of faith, so that we do not veer left into temptation, nor right into fear and doubt.
Such a task is beyond the capabilities of any mere mortal life. Even the greatest of people have fallen into sins of murder, adultery, theft, deceit, and many other evils. We need only consider the lives of Moses, David and Paul to see this heavy truth. Yet through the leading of the Holy Spirit, these three sinners penned much of the Holy Bible. This awesome reality should strengthen us to know that God can do tremendous things with we wretched sinners.
God used these fallen men and prospered their way through life not so that their own will could be furthered. Moses’ early desire to free his people from slavery through his own strength and status failed. David’s desire for Bathsheba led him into murderous adultery. Saul’s (later Paul) will was to plague and destroy the early Christian faith. His will was thwarted by the mercy of God.
Yet when these same men submitted to the will of God, and held to His commandments so that the temptations and/or fears of this world did not hinder them, He prospered their way. He did so because they were enabled by His strength to fear no man, only God. In this courage gifted by the Spirit of God, their way strode stride for stride with His. That glorious way that saw them play a part in the preparations and declaring of the arrival of the Messiah, the Saviour of the World that is Jesus Christ!
This is the purpose of Godly courage, to further His will and bring the good news of the Gospel to sinners. This glory of God’s perfect will leaves the angels of Heaven in awe! They stand in silent reverence at how He has used redeemed sinners to declare the love of God unto all Creation! No other God is so mighty and yet so meek to move in such gracious ways!
So be strong and very courageous. Remain on the straight and narrow path of following Christ Jesus. Then you too shall prosper under the Lord’s hand, and you will know that certain eternal glory awaits you through Christ Jesus. Amen.
