Developing Followers of Christ | Courage: A New Beginning

Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Today marks the beginning of a four part series on COURAGE. Courage is essential because there will often be times in our journey with Jesus that he will ask us to do things outside of our normal areas of comfort. In those moments of challenge we have a decision to make. Will we follow his lead or will we recoil in fear and take our own path. Courage is required along the pathway of obedience. Specifically, courage is required when God brings us to a place of a new beginning.

 Joshua 1:9 is a favorite verse of mine. It resonates deeply for those who have come to a season of life where a new beginning is required. Notice that God COMMANDED Joshua to “Be strong and courageous.” Why do you think God had to command Joshua to have courage? I believe God had to say it because Joshua was not feeling it! Moses, the great leader of Israel, the one who had led the people out of Israel, Joshua’s mentor, Moses, had just died. With the death of Moses, an entire season in the life of Joshua and the people of Israel died. In this passage, God is calling Joshua to step into new territory. Literally, he was calling Joshua to lead his people into a new land. Joshua was facing a new beginning and he was afraid. In that moment, God not only gave a command, he also gave a promise; “I WILL BE WITH YOU.” He says it in verse 5 and he repeats it in verse 9.

 Courage to act comes from confidence in the promise of God’s Presence. There are many of you today who are facing a new beginning. I met with several individuals this weekend who are preparing to be baptized at our June Celebration Weekend. They were nervous, because this marks a new beginning in their walk with Christ. Some of you are having children.

Others of you are losing parents. Some are losing jobs. Others are embarking on a new initiative at work. Some are preparing to move to a new town. Others are new to the area and trying to make new friends. The point is, life is full of change and God will certainly bring us to places of new beginnings. When fear (threatens to set in? ) and it will , remind yourself of Joshua, the command God gave him to have courage, and the promise God gave him – his very own presence.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder of my need for courage. You know how often I feel afraid. Thank you for the promise of your presence in my new beginning. Today, I will be strong and courageous for you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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