FWD: Morning Manna (May 22); BP: Josh. 1:1-9; RBTTY: Jn. 7:28-53; I

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 21 May 2008 20:24:47 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (May 22); BP: Josh. 1:1-9; RBTTY: Jn. 7:28-53; I
 

May 22                                                                                                “Be Strong and Of Good Courage”

 

“Have not I commanded you?  Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed—for the Lord, your God, is with you whithersoever you go.”

                                                                                                                                                      Joshua 1:9

     We should not fear when we know He’s near.

     The Promised Land lay before them.  They’d already stood there on the east banks of the Jordan River some 40 years before and refused to enter in.  But, now the Lord God has given them another opportunity to take that which He’d promised to give to them.

 

     The question was:

     Would they “enter in” or, once again, fail because of fear?

     Joshua’s words to the people in today’s Manna were simply a restatement of Moses’ charge to him before he died (Dt. 31:6).  Courage breeds courage, even as cowardice contagiously breeds more cowardice.

 

     That’s why it’s important for us to “be strong and of good courage,” for others are watching and depending upon us.

     Does this mean we’ll never fear?  Not hardly—for the temptation to fear and give in to hopeless despair are always there.  Likewise, the devil constantly whispers, “What’s the use?  Can’t you see no one cares what you’re doing or have to say?  Lay it down.  Go ahead—wave the white flag and surrender.  You’ve worked hard enough, haven’t you—and what’s it gotten you?  Nothing but great heartache and sorrow.  Go ahead—take you ease.  Eat, drink and be merry for a while.”

 

     Sound familiar, Pilgrim?

     If so, then this Manna’s for you. . .and you. . .and you.

     Truly, these are perilous days—but not days to tuck tail and run.  No, these are days to “stand up and be counted,” where we say to the evil one, “Be gone, O foul demon from hell!  I come against you in the Name above all names—the blessed Name of Jesus—and neither you nor your forces of darkness shall keep me from doing that which my Master has given me to do.”

 

     So, gird yourself for battle, Pilgrim (Eph. 6:10-18).  Do not listen to satan’s siren song or his hellish hoots or hisses.  Instead, hear the sweet voice of the Master calling you to “be strong and of a good courage”—not just any, run-of-the-mill, duck-your-head-and-head-for-the-hills-when-the-battle-heats-up courage—but “good” courage. . .resilient courage. . .courage that’s not going to quit for anything or anyone courage. . .courage that refuses to “be afraid or dismayed (Heb. ‘chathah’—‘to break down, be afraid, beaten down, be terrified, etc.’).”

 

     How can we do this?

     By simply remembering “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”  Hallelujah!!  When we’re up, he’s there; when we’re down, He’s underneath.  In joys and sorrows, He’s a “very present Help” (Ps. 46:1; Heb. 13:5).  So, “be strong and of good courage,” Pilgrim.  The battle is yours and victory is assured (II Chron. 20:12-17).  Glory!!