Wow...What a command! In reading through the first chapter of the book of Joshua, God gives this command not once, but four times! He is commanding Joshua to do something Joshua's never done before: take possession of the land promised way back when, to Abraham and his descendents. Joshua is to take a bunch of farmers, priests and herdsmen and just do it, and he is supposed to do it with boldness, confidence and strength. Sounds pretty daunting to me.
But reading
on a bit more, God gives Joshua the command surrounded by the promises that
will really make the Israelites' dreams come true: "I (God) will never
leave you nor forsake you... Don't turn from the words I gave you through
Moses... No one will be able to stand against you... You will be prosperous and
successful."
It's all
about God - what He has proven time and time again in the life of Israel and
what He has proven time and time again in our lives. He never breaks His promises, He is always
with us, and He wants to use us to accomplish His work.
Has God
given you a task which is way beyond your comfort zone? Be bold and courageous, for God is with
you! Has God asked you to step out in
faith to accomplish His will? Be bold
and courageous, for God is in charge! Has
God asked you to speak to someone about your faith? Be bold and courageous, for God is with you
and will provide the words. Has God
challenged and called Peace with building missional communities in the Denver
area? Be bold and courageous, fear not!
He who did
not spare His own Son, but gave Him up for us all -- how will He not also,
along with Him, graciously give us all things?
(Romans 8:31-33)
Be bold and
courageous, go forward, fear not, God is with us!
Polly Wegner
Dir. of Discipleship