Positive Power

Believers Ministry Daily Devotional

07-09-09

Donna Braman

Today Is The Day The Lord Has Made And I Shall Rejoice In It!

THE POSITIVE POWER OF COURAGE

Read: Joshua 1: 1-9

What do the following people have in common, Joshua, the Israelite leader; Daniel, the visionary; Jesus' 12 disciples, and the Apostle Paul? Besides loving God, they all were in need of courage. Obeying the Lord required bravery, a firmness of spirit that could face obstacles and crisis without retreating. They made their calling sure and they were steadfast in their walk. That is how you get people to want to follow you in your ministry or Christian walk. But we don't always feel that way when we first step out in faith to do a work for the Lord.

Appointed by God, Joshua was to lead the nation into the Promised Land. Perhaps he thought, Who am I to follow in Moses' footsteps? or What if the people will not support my leadership? God spoke reassuringly to him three times, telling him to be strong and courageous.

Joshua responded affirmatively and built his bravery on two precious assurances.

Promise #1 - God goes with us. The Lord pledged He would be with the Israelites in the new land, never leaving or forsaking them. In Hebrews 13-5, He makes the same promise to us. In fact, the Lord travels with us in a far more intimate way - through His Spirit living in us.

Promise #2 - God goes before us. God promised to take care of the enemy before the Israelites arrived. They still faced battles and uncertainty, but He assured them of victory if they had faith and obeyed his instructions. Jesus has gone ahead of us to heaven with the spiritual battle already won. Our redemption has been secured, our place in God's family permanently established, and our heavenly inheritance guaranteed. While our earthly trials continue, they are temporary.

SEED WORD:

If you build your Christian walk on these two promises, then courageous will become part of your name. Try out how will sound? Courageous -------------------.

The trouble with most of us Christians is we listen to the wrong voices. We doubt ourselves or we listen to nay-sayers. Pick up you cross and start walking in it daily, and start calling things that are not as though they are, and watch him manifest power to you. Remember, no eye has seen, no ear has heard the greatness God has put into us and wants us to walk in it.

If you would like to leave a comment go to my email: djbraman@gmail.com