Happy New Year! Be Stong and Courageous too!




 As the old year leaves us and a new one begins I find myself thinking about what this new year will hold. Will it be good or bad, hold hardship and trials or be smooth, easy? I suspect it will be some of both.

I've been thinking a lot about the verse, "All things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to his purposes." Romans 8:28

Do I really believe that? Do I really think everything that has happened in my life, in the lives of my family, of my friends has "worked together for good"? I guess if I am totally honest, I'd have to say no.

Dare I be so honest and un-spiritual? But don't we all feel that way sometimes? How can the death of a child be "good"? How can a sick family member be "good"? Not to mention natural disasters, dictators and war.

But I need to remember that God doesn't call these things "good", He says "all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called.."  Because isn't God good all the time? Even when I don't think it, even when I'm hurting, afraid, worried? Of course He is.

Doesn't knowing God is in control, that He works all things out for my good take a lot of worry out of life?

Almost every day I read a passage in the Bible from Joshua.



Joshua 1:5-9





My pastor did a bible study on Joshua and I was so taken with the first few verses of this book. Moses has died and the leadership of the Israelites has been given over to Joshua. It must have been a very daunting task as 3 times in these few, short verses God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous and in verse 6 he tells him to be strong and VERY courageous.

I guess we know that leading the Israelites was no easy task, leading any people is no easy task. There are always nay-sayers, complainers, people who think they know more then you, who have a much better idea, and ones who don't like being told what to do. But one of the best part of this passage is verse 5:

 "No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you: I will never leave you nor forsake you." NIV

And also verse 9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; don't be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." NIV

Is it easier to be strong and courageous knowing God is always there? I think so, but I don't alway act like it. Sometimes I don't trust enough, sometimes I don't believe. Is God with me even when I don't trust, don't believe? He is, but I'm sure it makes Him sad, maybe even frustrated. Does God get frustrated? I wonder, how could He not when He has so many humans to contend with. Wouldn't it be the most frustrating thing in the world to have an employee, a child, a friend, a sibling, you had to tell everyday, "It's okay, you can do it. I'm right here to help. You'll be okay. Be brave, be strong." Wouldn't you just want to slap them after a while?! I would. Yet God has to do that with me everyday, because I am anything but strong and courageous. I'm more the terrified type.

I guess I like this passage because it is telling someone, Joshua, who I know had proven his strength and courage many times over, to be strong, to have courage. I guess even the brave get faint hearted at times. Even strong, competent Joshua had to be encouraged.

So go into this new year being "strong and courageous" knowing God is with you, no one can stand against you and God will never leave you. But don't forget the second half of verse 7: "Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go."

Following God's word is the formula for a successful life. There will be rough patches, maybe even seeming failure, but remember "all things work together for good.." So be Strong and Courageous because God is in Control.

Have a successful New Year.