BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

Joshua 1: 1 – 9


7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law 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.
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Joshua was given a tall order. He was asked to take over the leadership role of the nation of Israel.
He was at first reluctant to take the position, after all he was to replace Moses, the same Moses that lead the people out of Egypt, toward the land of milk and honey promised to them by God..
Talk about a hard act to follow.
Imagine the pressure that Joshua felt.
Now, imagine the pressure that you feel when given a task that is so big and daunting, that you think there is no way to tackle it never mind get it done.
How about the pressure we feel when we have a sick child, or other loved one. We as heads of families, are supposed to be the strong, healthy, example to others, so that they may be comforted by our presence, because if we are there then there was someone to take the pain away even if it's just to lead the family in prayer and offer comfort.

2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
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.

God will comfort us and encourage us fist before we can do the same for others. As God says, He will never leave us or forsake us. With that kind of company by our side, how can we possibly fail at our tasks? No pressure now if we let god do the work for us, and we just go along for the ride.