Be Strong and of Good Courage

What can we expect from life as a Christian?  Will it be a walk in the park everyday or will we still have struggles?  I think we all know the answer to that.  Why do you think that is?  I would suggest that it is because we get the most growth in our lives when we have to struggle a bit. 

So does the bible give us any guidance on how to handle life?  I believe it does.  Check this out.

Joshua 1:1-3(NKJV)

1After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the Lord spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying: 

2“Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. 

3Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given you, as I said to Moses. 

OK so Moses has just died, Joshua has taken over and now God is telling them to cross the Jordan and God will give them the land of milk and honey.  God goes on to tell them that everywhere they travel together He will give them. 

The first thing I would point out is that in order for God to give them this new life that He has planned for them, they have to go on a journey together.  That's the way it is in our walk with Jesus as well.  We start by accepting Jesus.  Have you done that yet?  Just a simple prayer.  "Dear Jesus……"
 

But accepting Jesus is just the beginning of a wonderful journey as we begin to study God's word and as we begin to live our lives for God.

But here is what I had never noticed before.

Joshua 1:6-7(NKJV)

6Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 

7Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go. 

I found that interesting.  I had just assumed that once God gave them the land of milk and honey things would be easy.  But apparently not because look at the instructions.  Why would they have to be strong and very courageous if God is giving them the land of milk and honey? 

The only conclusion that I can come to is that God was letting them know that in order to receive the gift from Him, they were going to have to go through some nasty stuff.  In other words they had to be willing to struggle and fight for the good life that God had planned for them. 

And what was the key?

Joshua 1:8(NKJV)

8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 

Keeping God first.  Meditating on His Word day and night.  Staying focused on God.  And being strong and of good courage!