Have you ever been there? Scared or terrified of a situation or problem right in front of you. I faced a similar situation when I was playing college baseball. Our team was facing a pitcher who would ultimately be drafted into professional baseball. He had a 90 mph fastball and his off-speed pitches were just as challenging. Needless to say, our team did not fare well against him. To our team, he was a problem that seemed unsurmountable. We were scared and terrified to go up to bat against him.
Consider Joshua chapter 1 with me. Joshua is about to take over as leader of a powerful nation who had just wandered around the desert for 40 years. Also, Joshua is taking over for a leader the Bible says was one of the meekest men to live. Moses was loved by the people for his fearless leadership. How do you replace a man like this? Joshua found himself in a difficult scenario.
In Joshua 1, God instructs Joshua about the future of Israel. God tells Joshua to, “be strong and of good courage,” not once but three times in the first chapter alone. (v. 6, 7, 18) When has God asked you to show courage? Maybe it was to tell that friend about Christ. We will have many opportunities to demonstrate courage this holiday season when we are faced with right and wrong choices and to speak to others about Christ. I challenge you to ask God now for the courage it takes to make the proper decisions.
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