“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:7)
Again the command: Be strong. Be courageous. In yesterday’s verse, the source of that courage and strength came from God’s absolute promise: “You will accomplish this mission.”
Today’s verse: Same command, but a new source of confidence: “Obey my law completely, and you will be successful.” Obedience to God can bring strength, courage, confidence into our lives, because we’re on exactly the path He called us to follow. Disobedience — from all out rebellion to dabbling in sin — can sap our strength and kill our courage.
Why? We become divided. We want two opposite things — to accomplish God’s purpose for us and to indulge in the sin God has warned us away from — at the same time. On top of that, God has promised blessing to those who obey and discipline when His children wander off. Be convinced about Him; run toward the blessing.
Think: Have you found in your own life that obedience to God can bring more confidence, courage, and strength? Have you seen a choice to sin lead to less confidence in yourself and your mission in life?
Pray: Ask God to help you to have the strength and courage to obey Him this week.
Do: In a sentence or two, describe what you see as your God-given mission in life today.