WE NEED COURAGE

I have my first cup of coffee beside me.  I have an early morning dental appointment, so I read most of my reading last night.  Sunday sure was a great day!  What a blessing!!  I finished up Deuteronomy and into the sixtenth chapter of Joshua.  Look at these great things that jumped out at me: 

1) Deut. 32 describes God as our Rock.  The analogy is beautiful!  "He is the Rock,".  In verse 31, it reads:  "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."  I love this colorful language and the descriptive ways God reveals Himself to us. 

2)Deut. 33:27 says:  "The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms;".  Phrases like these are found throughout Deuteronomy and the Bible and I love to see them for they communicate to me how awesome God is. 

3)Courage Needed for the Task-  In Joshua chapter one, four times we see "be strong and of a good courage".  Truely courage is needed to do the work of God.  Joshua is told this I believe about 10 times in all beginning in Deuteronomy when Moses calls him to lead the Israelites.  He was over 80 when he took charge and God blessed him because he was full of faith and courage.  That's what we need!!

4)Interesting!!  Joshua is told to be of good courage, and in chapter 2, verse 11, Rehab tells the two spies that when her people heard of the deeds performed by God, "neither did there remain any more courage in any man".  God has filled the enemy with fear and His people with courage!!  Now the greatest part... this happened forty years earlier!!  When they heard about the Red Sea parting so they could cross over their hearts were filled with fear.  Ten of the twelve spies filled the Israelites hearts with fear, but God had filled the people of Canaan with fear.  The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years until a whole generation died off needlessly because God has prepared their victory IF they had only crossed over Jordan!!  I hope we have courage enough to advance for Christ!!  If not, we will not go forward.

5) Caleb's testimony-- Joshua 14:8-"..but I wholly followed the LORD my God."  Shouldn't this be our goal to wholly follow the LORD.  I hope I will do just that today and everyday.  I find it's a decision I make every day.  Make it with me today as we go forth with courage to obey the Lord Jesus Christ. 

May God bless you and see you tomorrow.  I have to go and get some shots for dental work and I need courage!!   Pastor Mike Mutchler

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