Be Strong and Courageous

Be Strong and Courageous

This is my command-be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

Ladies-I had the opportunity to speak at a Girls Basketball Camp one summer and when I received our camp packets I began to mediate on this verse.  I asked God why He was commanding us to remember to be strong and courageous throughout this year. I don’t recall getting a direct answer from Him however, I have heard so many stories from team members who are being tested in their faith in many areas of their lives. I know coaches’ wives who have loss family members.  I know a coach who was in a terrible car wreck with his daughter and has gone through countless surgeries to repair his mangled body.  Others on our staff and others in the sports world have received life threatening medical diagnoses and some rushed to the hospital with unexpected medical emergencies. 

We never know when life is going to throw us a curve, I just hope we always remember who has gone before every curve and He knows what is around the corner. 

Joshua has been Moses’ ¨assistant coach¨ for 40 years.  He was there for the exit from Egypt. He saw God’s power and he knew God was faithful even when they were faced with great challenges.  God affirms the words “be strong and courageous” 3 times to Joshua as He gives him the instructions for how to lead the next generation. (Joshua 1:6, 7, 9).  We can learn so much about God’s nature and character as we look at these instructions to Joshua.  God is saying the same thing to us today.  He is ultimately commanding us to trust Him, too.   

Whatever comes this year I pray you will be reminded by these words to be strong and courageous knowing God will see you through.

Father, thank you for your faithfulness.  You are so dependable and You are concerned about every area of our lives.  Father, I pray my sisters stand on Your word no matter the circumstance.  Lord give them peace and give them signs that You are with them through it all.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.