Category: Uncategorized

Judges 6:12

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, “The Lord is with you, mighty one of the armies!”

Personal Challenge

How would you feel if you were Gideon? The Israelites had been under oppression by the Midianites. Their land and the fruit thereof had been taken away. If you were caught trying to gather food you were persecuted or killed. So Gideon found a way to get some grain and thresh it in a winepress so that no one would see him. While there, this Angel of the Lord (pre-incarnate Jesus) shows up and calls him, “mighty one of the armies.” I think I would be thinking, “who are you kidding!” How often do we shrink away from the oppressions in our lives in fear that we will never be able to make it through them? How often do we read in the scriptures that God is there with us, but let the burdens of the world overtake our belief in God? God is with us! God does want us to be the mighty ones of His army and will equip us for that role, but we must trust Him and follow Haha. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Joshua 1:6-9

“Be strong and courageous, for you will divide this land which I swore to your fathers to give them. Be strong, therefore, and courageous to guard yourself and to do as Moses My servant commanded you; then you will not turn away from them, to the right nor to the left. In this way, you will have understanding in whatever you do. The book of this law shall not depart from your mouth, and you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may have the understanding to do all the things written therein. Then you will both prosper, make your ways prosperous, and have understanding. Behold, I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be cowardly or fearful, for the Lord your God is with you in all things, wherever you go.”

Encouraging Words

Our God is with us wherever we go and in whatever we do. He never departs from us, even when we attempt to abandon Him. We get our strength and courage from Him. But we do not get this on our own accord. As God instructed Joshua, He instructs us. We must study those who have gone before us and learn from them. We must feed upon the teachings of God just as we feed upon food to sustain our bodies. We do not become strong and courageous in a vacuum. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, the sinner!

Joshua 1:5

No man shall be able to oppose you all the days of your life, and as I was with Moses, thus I will be also with you. I will not forsake you nor disregard you.

Encouraging Words

Jesus told His disciples, and ultimately us, “If God is for us, who can be against us?” This was not the first time that this promise was given to God’s people. Joshua was challenged multiple times to be strong and courageous. That challenge was always followed by the promise that God will be with him. We too can claim that promise. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 31:8

“But the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not be afraid, nor be terrified.”

Encouraging Words

If we truly believe that our God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow, then we can claim this promise that He made to the Jewish nation. We are not alone in our journey through life. We have a God that loves us, cares for us, and is actively involved in every aspect of our lives. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 31:6
“Be valiant and strong, do not fear nor be afraid of them, nor be terrified before them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes before you and with you and among you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”

Encouraging Words

We are never alone. God is always with us and ready to protect us as we go through this difficult and challenging world. He is serious when He tells us to be valiant and strong and to not fear our enemy. This is a living, active faith that shows that we love and trust Him. We can trust His promises to us. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 29:28

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Encouraging Words

The truths of God have always been kept for those who love Him and follow Him. He reveals enough of His truths to all of His creation in order to draw us to Himself. Beyond those basic, fundamental truths, He chooses to reveal more as we become more His children. Glory be to God!

Deuteronomy 10:12-13

“So now, O Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord your God and His ordinances I command you today for your good?”

Personal challenge

What does God want from us? In this Old Testament passage, the answer to this question is provided. Fear God. Walk in all His ways. Love Him. Serve Him with all of our heart and soul. Keep His commandments and ordinances. Jesus summed this all up in His two command­ments to love God and love our neighbor. If we do this then we are doing what God requires. Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy! Lord, have mercy!

Deuteronomy 8:18

Then you shall remember the Lord your God, for He it is who gives you strength, that you may gain power, and He may establish His covenant the Lord swore to your fathers, as it is today.

Personal Challenge

Sometimes we get so busy in our lives that we forget that God should be a part of our life. Sometimes it is the pressures and challenges of life that cause this disconnect. And then, through God’s patiently waiting for us to include Him, we remember that He is there and He gives us the strength that we need. How much different our lines would be if we always kept Him at the forefront of our every thought and action. Glory be to God!