“After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the people of Israel. 3 Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, just as I promised to Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun shall be your territory. 5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. 6 Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.” Joshua 1:1-7
Lord our Lord,
It must have felt a big void and big sandals to fill for Joshua when Moses died. For some of us taking on responsibilities much smaller can give us concerns. But here You are Lord, not talking about following Moses footsteps, not calling Him to complete Moses call . . .
You talk to Joshua as Joshua and give Him Your promises for his own way forward. These beautiful promises that You will be with him, not forsake him, no man can stop him and if he obeys he will have good success.
Only, the only thing Joshua must do? Be strong and courageous and live a Godly life. Only? Well, that is not always easy when we are asked to do something new or make changes or face up to difficulties. But then You are God and we need to learn to trust You and that means being brave and courageous. You do not call us to be the same as someone else, achieve what they did or do better but to be ourselves. So we turn to You whatever it is we find ourselves doing for You, asking You to give us personal encouragement as You did Joshua. Direction and by Your Holy Spirit within us strength and courage.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 22nd March 2023
Whether You are taking up leadership, a new challenge, doing the same old, changing to retirement, keeping faith in weakness or sickness . . . He knows You by name.
Be strong in the Lord and be of good courage
Your defender is He, will be always the same
Mount up with wings, as the eagle ascending
Victory is sure when you call on His name
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord
And be of good courage, for He is your guide
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord
And rejoice for the victory is yours
Put on the armor the Lord has provided
Place your defense in His unfailing care
Trust Him for He will be with you in battle
Lighting your path to avoid every snare
Chorus
Be strong in the Lord, and be of good courage
Your mighty commander will vanquish the foe
Fear not the battle for the victory is always His
He will protect you wherever you go
Chorus
Be strong, be strong, be strong in the Lord
And rejoice for the victory is yours, Be strong
Lyrics: Tom Fettke and Linda Lee Johnson