By Pastor Steve Nickodemus

Be Strong and Courageous!

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud Link

When the people of Israel came to the edge of the Promised Land, men sent out to spy out the land reported this,

“All the people we saw there are of great size.  We saw the Nephilim there…. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.”
Numbers 13:32b-33 New International Version

The people saw the giants and they were scared!  They rebelled against Moses and wanted to give up conquering the land.

But 39 years later, after that rebellious, unfaithful generation had died, the Lord spoke to Joshua and said,

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9b New International Version

And Joshua believed the Lord’s Word, and led Israel across the Jordan into the Promised Land, giants notwithstanding!

What are the giants in your life, those obstacles and enemies that are too large and too scary for you to defeat?  Is it a sin in your past, or a terrible wound done to you, or enemies that taunt you at work, or medical issues, or grief, or fear of failure, or fear of the future?  Whatever the giants may be, the Lord Jesus has gone before you and has conquered sin, death, and the devil.  He has redeemed you from all that would condemn you, or frighten you, or defeat you.

As David says in Psalm 27:1,

“the Lord is my Light and my Salvation, of whom shall I be afraid?”

Lord, thank you that you are with me for Jesus’ sake.  I trust in Your strength, love, and promises.  Amen!

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado