We must be strong and courageous as we press onward through this life

Moses has died and now Joshua must lead God's people on the journey to the promised land. God assures Joshua that he, God, will not fail him nor forsake him. Joshua is given the assurance that he will be successful if he remains strong and faithful to God. These words of assurance are just as timely and appropriate for you and I today as they were when spoken long ago to Joshua (1 Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:10; Heb. 13:5; Rom. 8:31-37; Rev. 2:10; Rev. 14:13).

 

We must be strong and courageous as we press onward through this life (Phil. 3:14). Daily our human frame will be hard pressed to fall prey to the temptations that will come from lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). We must be firm, fixed, and steadfast in our faith as we look to the Lord for the strength needed to run the race that is set before us (Heb. 12:1-2).

 

Our spiritual strength will be evidenced by an unwavering love, loyalty and commitment to God and his word 2 Timothy 1:12). Listen to Paul as he tells in Romans 6:13 to yield ourselves unto God as those alive from the dead, to yield our members as instruments of righteousness unto God. Yielding to God, we surrender ourselves to him giving soul and body wholly to him (Gal. 2:20).

 

I really like the message proclaimed from these words found in one of our grand old songs: "Take my heart, it is thine own, It shall be thy royal throne". The statement found in Prov. 23:26, "My son give me thine heart", is the request God makes of all of us (Mark 12:30).  Strength and courage are two of the benefits of giving our hearts to God with nothing held back (Psalms 18:32; Psalms 73:26).

 

Will you, will I, be strong and courageous as we press onward? I truly believe the answer hinges on whether or not we are willing to surrender our lives, our love, our all to the one who died for us, rendering to him  a service that comes from the heart.

 

Charles Hicks