It’s simple ….

He tells us to be STRONG & COURAGEOUS

God tells His leader, Joshua ….

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

 New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (Jos 1:9). LaHabra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Joshua was about to take a step forward into the land that God had promised His people.  Done was their time of testing in the dessert.  Now they all were . . . but especially Joshua . . . were to walk in obedience to what God had told them.  This is one of the main themes of Joshua … it is of Deuteronomy also 🙂

I love this summary from one of my commentaries in Logos … it says:

Theologians have defined three functions of O.T. Law. One: Law reveals the character of the God who gave it. Two: Law serves as a standard against which human behavior can be measured, and by which all can be judged. And three: Law guides choices, enabling the believer to please God and thus to enjoy His blessing here and now. It is this “third function of the Law” that is highlighted in this and other O.T. passages. Biblical history demonstrates the fact that when God’s O.T. people kept His Law, the Lord blessed them and enabled them to succeed (reference below)

I also love this from the same commentary ….. (sorry for the endless quotes! It’s my way of getting this post done today! 🙂 )

Joshua is a model for all leaders of the O.T. era. What do we learn of leadership from him? First, the mission of O.T. leaders was to enable Israel to claim and hold the land promised by God (1:2–4). Second, the effectiveness of O.T. leaders depended on the divine presence, for it was God who gave victory (v. 5). Third, prime responsibility of the leader was personal commitment to “be careful to obey all the Law My servant Moses gave you” (v. 7). Fourth, the chief characteristic of the leader was strength and courage, for many times it would seem risky to obey God completely, and yet obedience was essential. (reference below)

What can we ladies take away from this truth from God’s Word today?

First …. obedience to God didn’t end when the Old Testament ended.  Jesus in the New Testament says that if we love Him we will obey His commands. As it was for Joshua and the Israelites, obedience to God (as the commentary above says) can so many times be rather risky.  We wonder, as I am sure they did, if we can completely obey what He’s calling us to do.  Yet … to succeed …. “obedience was (is) essential”.

Second …. we sometimes just have to take the step and believe when God says ~ don’t be afraid … don’t be discouraged … be bold … be brave … be strong … follow ME and you will succeed.

Can we lay hold of that today, ladies? Can we choose to believe it? Can we live it so it pleases Him? Can we let our passion for HIM fuel and push us to take whatever step HE has called you to take?

This Write31Day Challenge is doing just that for me …. I’m stepping out … bold, brave and courageously …. writing what HE lays on my heart ….. for HIS glory and not for how many readers or subscribers I might get from these posts!

Be Strong & Courageous today! Take the Step!

Blessings Friends,

Just HAVE to include this song …. so speaks to this … Enjoy! (It’s a little different version of it!)

Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 145). Wheaton: Victor Books.