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CG STUDY: BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
It’s easy to look at people who do difficult things
and attribute them with unusual gifts for daring. In reality, most bravery (and
is what makes it bravery) is deciding to act even though we are scared. Jack
Kent wrote a story, There’s no such things as a dragon; In it a family ignores
the small dragon that has appeared in the house and pretend that it doesn’t
exist. The dragon grows to fill the house and dominate their lives until they
give it their attention. It’s only as we recognise and admit our fear that we
can confront it and see it diminish. We can only deal with negative things if
we will see them. You are scared, I’m scared, God tells us ‘be courageous’.
READ JOSHUA 1 AND DISCUSS:
HOW TO BECOME STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
In scripture, it’s not the strong who are chosen,
it’s the weak. God chooses and uses such people so as to display His power in
us.
·
Why is Joshua repeatedly
told to be ‘strong and courageous’? (1:6-7, 9,18)
·
What does God say to
encourage Joshua and why are words so vital in giving or taking strength and
courage? (1:2, 3, 5)
·
Read the example of Paul to
Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:6-7
ONLY THE BRAVE INHERIT
The previous generation failed to inherit the Land
because they were weak and discouraged, as they believed their weakness over
God’s strength. How will being ‘strong and courageous’ cause you, and us, to be
more effective in our:
· Up
– worship life?
·
In – loving one another in
the church?
·
Out – living as a
missionary?
ONLY THOSE WHO HONOUR GOD’S WORD
Joshua needs
more than strength and courage if he is to succeed and enter the Promised Land;
he also needs to ‘obey all the law’.
·
What is
promised to those who love God’s word in this way? (1:8)
·
Why is God’s
word the foundation of a courageous life? (1:3)
To inherit all that God has for us one must build ones life on the word
God. Through scripture we gain strength and courage. Too many ‘turn aside’ or
fail to ‘meditate’ on it to their harm and weakening. Let’s commit ourselves to
be people of the word of God.
Stories from the journey
‘I was facing a
very difficult situation at work. One of my clients was (is) very aggressive
and a whole programme of 100+ people are affected by it. There are others like
this too and it makes for a hard, attritional work environment. Many who should
know better simply following in the client’s aggressive manner.
It was time to
replace one of our key team members. We had to find someone with a very
specific skillset and then negotiate with them to join, as well as convince the
client. Whilst in many ways this process was routine, it came at a time of real
pressure in the work. The process was stressful, to the point of loss of sleep
and big symptoms on physical discomfort and emotional strain.
I was on my
knees in prayer for several days whilst it worked through. In the midst of this
God brought a wide range of promises to mind – those of his faithfulness,
guidance and provision. He also answered specific prayers to bless
conversations and meetings, including blessing the senior client directly so as
to ease their behaviour for a time. He also brought times of real peace that
passes understanding, just as his Word says – calm on the inside during the
pressure from outside.
The transition
has happened and we are into the next phase of the work. Praise God! There are
many challenges ahead in the work, but God has shown Himself to be faithful,
and He will do so again. He is an ever-present help in times of trouble. For
me, being courageous isn’t about lack of feeling afraid, it’s inviting God into
the situation and continuing regardless, trusting that he will sustain and
guide you.’ (Anonymous)
DAILY PERSONAL BIBLE DEVOTIONAL – JOSHUA 1
MONDAY: HELPERS AND LEADERS
Joshua 1:1-3 After the
death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son
of Nun, Moses’ aide: “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all
these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am
about to give to them—to the Israelites.
Moses, the great leader is dead,
but God’s mission goes on. Joshua ‘Moses’ aide’ (helper) now has to step us to
lead. He is no longer shielded by Moses – Joshua has to learn to carry the load
of responsibility. Many will not lead because it is painful and many will not
serve because it is humbling. Let’s pray that we are ready to serve or lead as
God directs.
TUESDAY: SHEEP
NEED SHEPHERDS
Numbers 27:15-18 Moses said
to the Lord, “May the Lord, the God who gives breath to all living
things, appoint someone over this community to go out and come in before
them, one who will lead them out and bring them in, so the Lord’s people
will not be like sheep without a shepherd. So the Lord said to Moses,
“Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit of leadership, and lay
your hand on him.”
Even though Moses will not lead
the people into the Promised Land, he is concerned and prays for spiritual
leaders so the people ‘will not be like sheep without a shepherd’. Leaders are
vital for the health of a church. Let’s pray for existing elders, and for God
to provide new elders and others leaders, in whom are ‘the spirit of leadership.’
WEDNESDAY: THE SPIRIT OF LEADERSHIP
Numbers 27:18 So
the Lord said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the
spirit of leadership, and lay your hand on him.
In the Hebrew (from which this is
translated) it only has ‘in whom is the spirit’. This, and I think should be
taken as ‘The Spirit’. Leaders are to be people of the Spirit – empowered and
submitted to God’s presence. When they appointed the first deacons (servants)
in Acts 6 they were to be ‘Full of the
Spirit and wisdom.’
No one is qualified to lead to
doesn’t love God’s presence so as to spend time in the ‘tent of meeting’. A
leader is not perfect, but they are heading in the right direction!
THURSDAY: NEW LEADER, SAME MISSION
Joshua 1:2-4 Get ready to
cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to
the Israelites. I will give you every place where you
set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory
will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the
Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west.
God reminds Joshua of the mission.
A change in leadership is not a change in direction. Joshua doesn’t come up
with a new direction, but God reminds him of the on-going mission. The church
doesn’t have a new mission! As Jesus prepared to leave this earth, he appointed
leaders and gave them His mission,
Matthew 28:19-20 Then Jesus came to them and
said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am
with you always, to the very end of the age.”
FRIDAY: BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS
Joshua 1:5-6 As I was
with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor
forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead
these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded
you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you
go.”
Joshua is told three times in this
chapter to be ‘strong and courageous’ (1:6, 7, 9). In verse 9 God also adds the
negative – “Do not be afraid or discouraged”. Every generation needs to hear
God’s command to bravery. Though opposition seems too great for us, let’s
remain loyal to the one who says, “For the Lord God will be with you wherever
you go”
SATURDAY: DO NOT LET THE BOOK DEPART FROM YOUR
MOUTH
Joshua 1:7-8
“Be strong and very courageous. Be
careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not
turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful
wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on
it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful.
Joshua needs
more than strength and courage if he is to succeed to entering the Promised
Land; he also needs to ‘obey all the law’. To such a person is promised, ‘then
you will be prosperous and successful’. To inherit all that God has for us one
must build ones life on the word God. Too many ‘turn aside’ or fail to
‘meditate’ on it to their own harm. Let’s commit ourselves to be people of the
word of God.
As a start, memorise Joshua 1:18
Joshua 1:8 Keep this
Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so
that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be
prosperous and successful.
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