October 19: Joshua 1:7-9
 
Key Verse: Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’
 
Devotion:
How many times do you have to be told something before you believe it? How many more times do you have to be told before you have the courage to do it! If truth be told, we often have to be persuaded a lot more time to actually do something rather than just saying yes to it. I know I have been asked to do things before and have been too scared to follow them through!
 
We should only have to be asked once or told once for us to do God’s will – but our human emotions, faith and many other things get in the way of what should be done and what ends up happening. Don’t worry, you are not alone either! We are not told how many times Joshua had to be told, but I find it very interesting the request for him to be strong and courageous is listed three times in the first few verses of the book of Joshua.
 
What we need to remember is echoed in the words of this verse I have chosen... “for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go!” God is not going to say something and just expect us to run off and do it. God is going to be with us every step of the way. The Holy Spirit is with and within us. Jesus made sure of that for us.
 
When we do finally put our fears behind us and our faith in order, we find just how much God is with us and how much more we can do than we realise. I love it when a plan comes together – but I love it even more when I see just how much God does to make sure His plans do come together!
 
Points to Ponder:
How many times do you get told before you listen?
 
How many times do you get told before you DO?