Pages

RSS Feed

Thursday, April 27, 2017

Success, Courage and Obedience

In review of Joshua 1:9 it says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Bottom Line:
Be bold, strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid; do not be discouraged. God will be with you.

What this means to me:
I am to be bold, strong and courageous. I should not be afraid or discouraged. God tells me that he will be with me wherever I go.

Many think that prosperity and success come from having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless desire to get ahead. But what I’m learning is that the strategy for gaining prosperity that God taught Joshua goes against popular belief. He said that to succeed Joshua must, be strong and courageous - for the task ahead would not be easy, to obey God's law, and to constantly read and study the Book of Instruction - God's Word. Likewise for me to be successful, I too should follow God's words to Joshua. I may fail to succeed by the world's standards, but I’ll will be a success in God's eyes - and it his opinion that is most important.

It also seems strange to equate success with obedience. For many, success is controlling others; for Joshua it meant being controlled by God. God told Joshua that to succeed he must obey the rules for living found in God's law. Often I can't see what the results or future benefits of following God will be. When I’m not certain what to do, obedience to what God has revealed in the Scriptures is the only sure step I can take. I should resolve to set aside time each day to read and think about God's Word, to remind myself of God's words day and night and to Act today on what I know God has said. When I do God will assure my success in carrying out his purposes.

So where am I in the fight of life? No matter my place, there is great news and a recipe for total success! I am to be bold, be of good courage, be strong - for the Lord my God is with me!

Before I even knew there was a problem, the victory was already mine. His angels surround me, preparing my way. They are my rear guard. The power of the Holy Spirit is living within me. I can lift up my head and rejoice! Great things are on the way!

So I should not focus on what I see happening around me; instead focus on the One who surrounds me with His everlasting mercy and grace. If I concentrate on the raging waves that threaten to suck me under, I’ll surely drown. But when I concentrate on the One who commands, “Peace, be still!” I’ll walk hand-in-hand with my Savior right over your problem until I come to dry land on the other side of the shore.

So until the day of His return, Jesus will complete the good work He started in me.

0 comments: