Strong and Courageous

Funny how just last night I admitted to my new accountability partner that I'm often too stubborn to listen to God's truths the first time, and sometimes it takes many different people or circumstances to really make those truths a reality in my life. Funny also how we discussed the beauty of God's timing, even in the simple things. Funny because today when I began my quiet time, I was taken to the book of Joshua, an account of some pretty big promises being fulfilled by a faithful God. Sitting on the heels of the promised land, Joshua assumes the role of leading the Israelites to the place God designated for them. Seeing and experiencing the struggles Moses faced as a leader of disobedient people couldn't have been too encouraging for Joshua, and I feel like he might have felt a little like I do now. Granted, I'm not responsible for leading 40,000 men into battle against their enemies in order to secure the promised land for all of God's people...but I am battling my own enemies in my pursuit of God's promises to me, unsure of what's ahead of me but not dwelling on the past. But like me, God has to remind Joshua several times to be strong and courageous because He is present. Just in the initial appointment of Joshua as leader, God tells him three times. "Be strong and courageous, for you will distribute the land I swore to their fathers to give them as an inheritance (1:6) Above all, be strong and very courageous to carefully observe the whole instruction My servant Moses commanded you...(7)...Haven't I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go (9)" It's incredible to realize that God holds amazing promises for my future, why would I fear that? Satan may try to deter me from the path God has for me, but with God always by my side, whom shall I fear? Even after sin caused a temporary disruption of the conquering of Canaan, God still encouraged Joshua that His promises were good and would be fulfilled. God recognized Joshua's fear and when Joshua returned a second time to Ai after an embarrassing defeat, God reassured him "Do not be afraid or discouraged" (8:1) Sometimes Satan uses my past to distract and discourage me from claiming the beauty of my future. He reminds me that I was defeated once before and I would be again. But God tells me different. God is with me every step of the way to say, "be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged. I am with you." I believe God is a God of fulfilled promises. Through faith and obedience, God revealed His faithfulness and strength to Joshua and the Israelites, and He promises the same for me. God killed off an entire generation of disobedient people before He would let His people reach the promised land. He also allowed the Israelites to be defeated by a much smaller, weaker nation because of the disobedience of ONE man. I understand not only the benefit of obedience in my own life, but I also realize that my brothers and sisters in Christ are just as dependent on my obedience as it affects the whole body of Christ.  I don't want to be the one disobedient part of the body of Christ, and I especially don't want to be part of an entire generation of disobedient children. I truly believe God is raising up our generation as a diligent army to do something great in this world, and that's what I want to be part of. We're all going to come across doubts and fears, but when we do, we can take heart in Joshua's story. Be strong, be courageous. God is faithful and when we are obedient, He fulfills His promises to us.