DEUTERONOMY 31:6

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.

TO PONDER

The phrase 'be strong and courageous' appears 6 times in scripture; 3 times in the book of Deuteronomy and 3 times in the book of Joshua. They are words spoken at a transition, at the end of Moses' time leading the Israelites and the handover to Joshua as the next leader. This was also a transitional time in terms of God's people shifting from a nomadic, desert wandering people, to a people coming into their inheritance and taking possession of the land God had promised them. There was a lot of change going on.

Sometimes I think that we forget that our God is a God, not just of creation, but also of re-creation and restoration. Just because he has done things one way in the past, does not necessarily mean we can expect him to do things the same way now. The one consistent thread though through all the amazing stories of God's interactions with His chosen people (which now also includes you and me) is that God does big things when his people are strong and courageous in trusting Him.

So look out for opportunities today where you can be strong and courageous in trusting God and see what He does with your courageous faith in Him!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, sometimes it's easy to pray the words "Your kingdom come, Your will be done" but then fail to do anything about it. Your kingdom can feel so far away and my faith and courage can feel so small. Please make me strong and courageous in trusting you to always be there with me and to never forsake me, even when you ask me to take a leap of faith into new territory and unknown places. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle