Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Be Strong And Of A Good Courage

Date: Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Chapters: Deuteronomy 34, Joshua 1-2
Message Title
: Be Strong And Of A Good Courage
Hello My Friend,
The Book of Joshua is the sixth book of the Old Testament/Bible and contains twenty-four chapters. The author of the book is Joshua and it was written to Israel, the timeline for these events is approximately 1451 BC to 1427 BC. The purpose of the book was to record the details on how the minister of Moses, Joshua, led the people of Israel into the promised land and explains the division of the land among the tribes. What we are to learn from the book is that no moral or spiritual battles are won without God, He gives victory to all who let Him lead them. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” - Joshua 1:5.

Moses went up to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, one last time to view the promised land before he died. The beautiful land, flowing with milk and honey could been seen, but he could not enter it because of his disobedience. However, God never forgot what Moses had done for Him throughout the years and even after he was told that he could not go into the promised land he still received his inheritance into the Kingdom of God. “
And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither. So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day. And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.” - Deuteronomy 34:4-6,10-12.

Sometimes there are things that we do that can forfeit our rights to receive certain blessings from God here on earth, but when we make things right with Him He will honor us and bless us accordingly. It is actually what we do for Him after we are saved that counts and what will last for eternity. “
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” - Matthew 16:24-27.

After they mourned the death of Moses, the time had finally come for Israel to cross over the Jordan and into the promised land, God spoke to Joshua, and perhaps spoke the most important words he would ever hear, “Be strong, and of a good courage.” “
There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them. 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. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. 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 1:5-9.

The word strong means, having the physical ability to bear or endure. The word courage means that quality of mind which enables man to encounter danger and difficulties without fear or depression of the spirits. Joshua is to make the law of God, which is His Word, his ruler, he is commanded to meditate upon it day and night, that he might understand it and follow it. Whatever challenges we face, we must not forget the one thing needed to give us the strength and courage to face them, the Word of God. God's Word is powerful, without it we are left to fend for ourselves and if we choose to handle things on our own we might not like the outcome. God is always with us, but if we truly want
the best outcome it is important to learn of and follow all of His Word. “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” - 2 Timothy 2:15.

Joshua sent two men over into Jericho to search it out, just to see what they were up against. Word had already gotten out that the people of Israel were about to come in and siege the land so when people found out that Israelite's were there they searched all over to capture them and kill them.
They met a woman, a prostitute named Rahab, who hid them, she asked them of one thing for her kindness, to save her and her family.

And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there. And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you. For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed. And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath. Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token: And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.” - Joshua 2:1,9-13.

Even though it could have cost her her life, Rahab did what was right, and because of that she and anyone who were within the walls of her home would be saved. God makes it simple for us to be able to enter His Kingdom, “Believe in my Son, and all that He has done to save You from being utterly destroyed and I will save you.” “
What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:21-23.
Today's Prayer: (Excerpts taken from Psalm 31) God, In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name's sake lead me, and guide me. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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