Skip to main content

Battle with confidence in God

Joshua 1:1-9.

After years of wandering in the wilderness, the Israelites are finally able to enter the promised land. But before that, they must wage battles against their enemies. It was to this end God called Joshua as a leader.

He was going to fight Jericho, Ai, ... and lead a journey of so many battles, but this time it wasn't going to be with Moses, which he was accustomed to (as in Exodus 17:8-16). So how does he proceed? What's the plan?

In the passage, God lays out a strategy for Joshua. God reminded Joshua that:
  • He would need the Word as a constant reminder of God's promises and faithfulness. (v8) 
  • He was to go through the battles by being confident (strong and courageous) in the fact that God is always with him. (v9)
Like Joshua, sometimes we have seasons of (so many) battles: a health battle, a career struggle, a relationship tension, something too personal. In these times, God encourages us to come to Him in prayer and confidence in His Presence (Hebrews 4:16) and to dwell on His Word, His promises (2 Corinthians 1:20).

Be strong and courageous (v6), be strong and very courageous (v7), be strong and courageous (v9). I will be with you, I will never leave you nor forsake you (v5), I will be with you wherever you go (v9). (Psalm 23:4)

Reflect & Pray
In what battles or areas might God be encouraging you with those repetitions?
Thank You, Lord, that You encourage us with your Presence in all our battles. Help us to trust in You and Your promises every day.

God bless you exceedingly,
Sam.

Popular posts from this blog

God’s mercy: sovereign over all

Jonah 1:1-16. I hope you had an enjoyable Christmas break. Happy New Year! Have you ever had one of those sat-nav moments where no matter how far off course you go, it keeps rerouting and repeating “make a u-turn.” That’s the story of Jonah. God sends him north-east to Nineveh, but Jonah heads west to Joppa instead. And the book shows us something remarkable: God’s response to people on the wrong route isn’t abandonment, but mercy. Like a sat-nav, He keeps rerouting and calling us back to Himself. Jonah takes us on a journey into the nature of God’s mercy. In today’s passage, as we see the striking stubbornness of Jonah toward God, we begin to see the saving sovereignty of God’s mercy. In spite of Jonah’s refusal of God’s directive, God is still in control. He commands and can change all things (Ps 148:5, Jer 32:17). ...

The Birth that affects everyone

Luke 2:10-15. (The message of the angel to the shepherds). When a baby is born, people celebrate, send gifts, and travel from all over to see the baby. And it can be pretty expensive for those of us with siblings all over. Often, when we see the baby, we make physical remarks like: “Oh, she’s got a round head like her dad”, or “his eyes are like his mum’s,” or “the baby’s so cute”, or “isn’t it lovely that she sleeps a lot”. All these remarks are not remarks of expectation. We’re not expecting anything from the baby for ourselves, let alone for everyone; that would be odd. But many years ago, a baby was born, and an angel appeared to some shepherds, informing them that this birth had implications for all people (v10). This birth affects everyone, you and me, both in this life and in the next. What did th...

God’s response to repentance is great joy

Luke 15. (The Parables of the Lost…Sheep, Coin and Son). The three parables were Jesus’ response to a criticism from the Pharisees. They saw that tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus, and that He welcomed and ate with them (v1-2). And Jesus likened the tax collectors and sinners who had gathered around Him to something important that was lost (v3-32). Can you recall a time you lost something important? I once arrived at the airport and realised my passport wasn’t in my jacket. I thought, could I have forgotten it? In the middle of the check-in area, with everyone stirring, I emptied my hand luggage; my clothes, bank cards, documents, laptop, and everything else were scattered all over the place. I finally found my passport, which I had hurriedly packed with my clothes. Out of excitement, I yelled, “Yes, found it!” A few people began ...