Day 31 – Be Strong and Courageous
Joshua 1:9 (the LORD speaks to 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.”
Story: Joshua wasn’t facing an actual giant, but he was about to start something that seems overwhelmingly huge: replacing Moses as leader of Israel. While Moses and the LORD had been preparing Joshua for this role, it’s still the enormous task of being the military, spiritual, and administrative leader of God’s people. Even further, Joshua is to lead Israel into entering and conquering the Promised Land. And so when the LORD installs Joshua publicly as leader before all Israel, He speaks in v. 6, 7, and 9: be strong and courageous. Added in is words of promised success as Joshua obeys God’s commands. God’s presence, God’s Word, God’s promises is what is needed to drive out fear, trembling, or being dismayed.
My Prayer Response: Father, You speak to Joshua’s heart – exactly what He needs to hear and know from You. You keep it simply, and yet cover all the bases. Continue to speak Your Word to us – all that we must hear. Let us be strong in You and in Your Word!
May you be strong and courageous today!
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Day 32 – Memory Rocks
Joshua 4:24 “For the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan before you until you had crossed, just as the Lord your God had done to the Red Sea, which He dried up before us until we had crossed; that all the peoples of the earth may know that the hand of the Lord is mighty, so that you may fear the Lord your God forever.”
Story (by Rebecca Moni): After crossing the Jordan River, Israel obeyed God’s command to build a memorial so that they and all future generations would always remember what God had done for them and through them, to always remember why their fear should belong to God alone.
We revere memorials of war, bravery, social impact, etc. But what about looking back on what God’s done in our personal journeys? Without even meaning to, we’re so prone to burying our experiences beneath the constant busyness of the every day. And without something to remind us, we often forget, and sadly, sometimes backslide. God most likely isn’t calling all of us to stack 12 river rocks in our backyards, but it might be worth considering what it would look like to make physical remembrances for ourselves–even if it begins with something as simple as a meaningful verse scribbled on a post-it note. What might God be calling you to remember?
Prayer Response: Father, thank you for Your Word as our direct reminder of Your power, love and wisdom. I pray we will remember in the day-to-day what You’ve called us to and what You’ve saved us from so that we can continue moving forward, strengthened by Your promises.
May the LORD remind you of His works in your life!
Day 33 – Fear of Failure
Joshua 8:1 Now the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear or be dismayed. Take all the people of war with you and arise, go up to Ai; see, I have given into your hand the king of Ai, his people, his city, and his land.
Story: For the first time in Israel’s young history, a battle was lost. Joshua wept over the defeat and the 36 soldiers killed in action. Now, after the sin in Israel had been dealt with, Joshua returns to face Ai. But will they lose again? Can he be confident that God will give them victory? So, God speaks these words of courage, similar to what was said when Joshua first took command. Plus in v. 2, God gives a new strategy for defeating this city: an ambush. Joshua and Israel obey, and they win a complete victory.
My Prayer Response: Father, my typical response to failure is to avoid trying again. But You lead Joshua to confront the sin that caused the failure, and then sent him right back out there. So, search my own heart; help me to see how my sin may be the cause of failure. Even more, teach me to rely on You, not on my past experiences. If Jesus gives the victory, then I don’t need to fear failure.
May the LORD cause you to overcome past failures!
Day 34 – Fear the God of Hailstones
Joshua 10:8, 25 The Lord said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands; not one of them shall stand before you.” Joshua then said to them, “Do not fear or be dismayed! Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.
Story (by Hannah Ross): Israel has a disadvantage in their upcoming battle against five kings and their armies. Besides the size difference, Israel has marched all night and is fighting on unfamiliar land. But God tells Joshua not to fear the armies of the kings, because the LORD has already given them to Israel. God turns the tide of the battle. Joshua, in fearing the LORD, goes to battle with “all the mighty men of valor” (I like this description). Israel wins with help from God, which including the sun standing still and hailstones of death!
When Israel captures the five kings, Joshua tells Israel the words of wisdom and assurance he has heard earlier from both God and Moses (v. 25): do not be afraid. Be strong and courageous. Then Joshua, a man of action, kills the five kings.
To be strong and courageous is to be without fear of men, but is also the definition of fearing the LORD. So be strong and courageous in the LORD, for He is right.
My Prayer Response: Father, whatever the fight I face today, You give the victory. To be strong and courageous in You is something You intend for us to pass on down to others – just as Moses did Joshua, and Joshua does to Israel. So, help me today – both to trust in You for the victory, and to teach others to trust You for the strength, courage, and victory that You alone give.
May the LORD strengthen you today!
Day 35 – Chariots of Fire
Joshua 11:6 Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid because of them, for tomorrow at this time I will deliver all of them slain before Israel; you shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”
Story: Now it’s four kings, and their armies, gathered against Israel. Plus, they have horses and chariots. By human standards, Israel doesn’t have a chance to win this battle. But God rules over all. He speaks to Joshua, not with a strategy, but with a promise of victory. So Israel surprised the enemy and wins the battle. This crucial battle that ends with chariots of fire signals the end of Israel’s campaign to conquer the Promised Land!
My Prayer Response: Father, truly nothing is too difficult for You. The sun standing still; hailstones of death; chariots burning with fire. Five armies, four armies – it doesn’t matter! You are victorious! You are the Almighty God! And You are my God, our God even today! How awesome that You are with us today!
May the Almighty LORD be with you today!