Joshua 1:6-9 ~ Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.  Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.  This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.  Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. 

Although all of God’s Word, from every punctuation mark to name is of equal importance, there is sometimes a special emphasis on something repeated. It’s as if God is saying, “Did you catch that? I need you to understand, so here it is again.” We know with the children in our own lives that there is sometimes a necessity to repeat something especially if we fear that they’re in harm’s way. In today’s scripture Moses had just died, Israel was about to go forth with a new leader, into a new land, unchartered territory, much like my own beloved Victory Baptist Church is facing with the leaving of our Pastor. It’s also been on a personal level for me many times over the past few years that I have had to face things never I’ve never been through before. My own unchartered territory. It’s a time that Satan loves to mess with your mind; he loves goading you into doubt and dismay of the unknown. He diligently tries keeping you from the Word of God because he knows that there is power and strength to be found among the pages.

Whether you are in a new stage of life or not, for you’ll be on the brink of one eventually, this message will help you. Not because I’m anything great, but because the Word of God will not return void; the bible says so.  God told Israel to have courage three times with three important facts. Facts that we need to remember as we move forward in our lives.

Be courageous because I’ve given you a promise.

God promised Israel deliverance into a new land. He didn’t promise them it would be without battles and giants but He promised it would be theirs. I’m for certain it would have been easier on them if they’d have gone the first time God told them to go in obedience, but their disobedience didn’t change God’s promise. We may change our mind, but God doesn’t change His. He may however change the method of the deliverance because of our unwillingness to go along with His original plan… speaking from experience. In my heart I know that God has made promises in my life. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” God has a plan, and I believe that as time passes in our lives He reveals it to us as a promise with our obedience. He has a great plan that doesn’t necessarily come easy, but if we continue on His way, it’s a promise.

Be courageous because I’ve given you My Word.

Staying in the Word is crucial in times like these. With the political nonsense going on in the world I found it “enlightening” when Joshua wrote “turn not from it to the right hand or to the left.”  Our political power is not where we need to be turning for guidance. Can I get an Amen on that one? Both sides have a lot of work to do to get in line with God. If you want to know how to live your life or how to make a decision, base it on the Word of God, nothing else. If you want to know how to prosper, Joshua just told you… “Live according to God’s law.” That doesn’t promise you’ll be a millionaire, you may be a “nillionaire” (have nothing) but you’ll prosper in ways unimagined and God will take care of you.

Be courageous I’m with you.

If we believe God’s promises and we earnestly pray for His guidance; if we stay in His Word, we’ll get to where we’re going; but regardless child of God, even when we make the wrong decisions in life God never, ever forsakes us. In the deepest valley’s to highest peaks of the mountain God is there.

Are you in unchartered territory? I am. But I’m trusting in God’s promises, I’m believing in God’s Word and I know He is with me. Be courageous, God’s got ya covered!