Be Strong: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Be Strong

First came words of counsel

direct details, ordinary expectations

proceed.

Follow footsteps as taught,

push forward.

Second came words of courage

obey your laws,

firm steps.

Take care to remember

fail not promise.

Final came words of command

be strong, be courageous

no fear.

Resist trap of dismay

now enter land.

So he listened to God’s words

stepped out in faith

secure.

submissive to God’s will

strength supplied.

Reflection Command: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reflection Questions

1.     Are you waiting to step into a ‘new land’? What is holding you back?

2.     Do you tend to rush into new opportunities without counsel, or do you need to have all the steps mapped out before you trust. Or somewhere in between?

3.     How has your style affected your trust in the Lord’s presence?

4.     What is the most recent command He has given you? Are you ready to obey?

Share: What words of promise sustain you when dismay paralyzes your obedience?

Command: Word Ambassadors: Prayers and Poetry

Reading: Joshua 1

“I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous, do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

For forty years the new nation of Israel had waited to enter the territory that the Lord God had promised them. Not because God had stripped His promise of power but because the people had listened to the fear from the original scouts so many years earlier and relinquished the opportunity to enter the land before them. Only Caleb and Joshua had pleaded with the people to trust the Lord.

But fear had paralyzed them even though God had already released them from slavery. And they would not step into God’s words. And they did not trust His message.

Now Moses had died, the generation from Egypt had passed and God told Joshua, “Now proceed to cross the Jordan.” “I will not fail you or forsake you.”

Once again the promises were given. And with them came commands to step out in confidence and courage and trust.

God acknowledged their dismay, their fear, their uncertainty, their weakness, their limited resources and their inexperience. However He commanded them to trust Him instead. He reminded them to follow the laws He had given them. He directed their focus. “Do not turn to the right or to the left that you may be successful wherever you go.”

Repeatedly He told them to be strong and courageous, to be strong and very courageous.  Again the decision lay before them. Not only the land itself but also the choice to believe in God’s words, accept His promises, and obey His directions.

He understood their quaking hearts. Yet the only way they could rise above their fear and step into a new beginning and a new life was to choose to fix their eyes on Him and follow.

Lord, You still call us to move into new life, to follow where You lead, and still we let fear paralyze us. Thank you for reminding us that by Your help and Your presence we can choose to trust Your words. Thank you for supplying courage to obey Your truth and in turn share with others Your words of hope.

Psalm of Worship: Psalm 121: 8

“The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.”