FWD: Morning Manna (July 5); BP: Josh. 1; RBTTY: Acts 13:26-52; Job 30-31

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

---

-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Fri, 4 Jul 2008 15:12:57 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (July 5); BP: Josh. 1; RBTTY: Acts 13:26-52; Job 30-31
 

July 5                                                                                                    “Be Strong and Of A Good Courage”

 

“Be strong and of a good courage—for unto this people shall you divide for an inheritance the land which I swore unto their fathers to give them.  Only be strong and very courageous. . .”

                                                                                                                                                      Joshua 1:6-7a

     When the enemy says “Give up,” the Spirit says “Look up, be strong and stand firm.”

     Joshua had been through the fire.  He was born into slavery, but dramatically and miraculous delivered by “God’s strong Hand” (Ex. 6:1; 13:9; Ps. 136:10-26).  And, even though he’d had to endure the wilderness for 40 long years because of others’ unbelief (Num. 14:20-35), he’d rested in the assurance that he would not die there and one day would finally entered into God’s Promised Land (vv.24, 30).

 

      How important it is for us to cling to God’s Promises when everything around us is falling apart and the forces of evil are assailing our soul.  Like a “sure and steadfast Anchor” (Heb. 6:19), God’s Word helps us continue on when it’d be so easy to quit.  And, when we remember the Risen Lord is our “Shield and exceeding Great Reward—yea, a very Present Help in times of trouble” (Gen. 15:1; Ps 46:1)—then we can face unafraid anything or anyone that comes against us.

 

     The words God spoke to Joshua in today’s Manna were the same ones given by Moses shortly before he died (Deut. 31:6).  It’s always important for us to engage in a “righteous rehearsing” of God’s unfailing promises to those around us—whether it be our children, family, friends or fellow “Pilgrims of the Way.”  Doing so will ensure that “none of God’s Word will fall to the ground and be trampled underfoot by careless, callused and carnal cares” (I Sam. 3:19; Heb. 10:29).

 

     Thus, God’s Word to Joshua is what we still need to hear today:

     “Be strong.”  The Hebrew word “chazaq” is used here for “strong” and also means “to fasten upon, seize, bind, be obstinate, etc.”  It’s “triumphant tenacity” that springs from being grounded in God’s Word and walking in His Spirit.  Simply put, it’s a clarion call to “look up, not give up” when the battle’s raging.

 

     “And of a good courage (Heb. ‘amats’—‘to be alert, steadfastly-minded, established, fortified, harden one’s self, etc.’).”  We should note that it doesn’t say “be of good courage;” it says “be of A good courage.”  Why is this important?  Because there’s “carnal courage,” which is rooted in flesh and is fickle.  Even thieves will stick together until the heat of the battle becomes too great, then “it’s every man for himself.”

 

     Only those who are in Christ will “endure unto the end” (Mt. 10:22), one of the hallmark characteristics of the “Pilgrim’s Perseverance.”  Although we may not win every round, we still shall arise and still “fight the good fight and win the prize” (II Tim. 4:7a; Phil. 3:13-14).  Although we may not win every race, we’ll still “finish the course and receive the victor’s crown” (II Tim. 4:7b, 8).  And, through it all we’ll “keep the faith” (II Tim. 4:7c) by “being of a good courage—yea, Christ’s Courage,” knowing if “we suffer with Him, we shall also reign with Him” (II Tim. 2:12).  Amen.