Together in Christ: 'Be Strong and Courageous' — Deuteronomy 31:6

Friday, April 26, 2024

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[Moses said to the people of Israel before crossing into the Promised Land:] "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before [the people living in the land]. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

— Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT

Key Thought

Moses gives Joshua [1] and the people of Israel similar messages as they get ready to cross into the Promised Land: "So be strong and courageous!" There is no reason for them to panic or be filled with fear. Why? God, YHWH, had promised to be with them, and He kept His promises. God delivered them from Egypt and Pharaoh and accompanied them through the wilderness. He went ahead of them and prepared the way for them. The Eternal One, YHWH, never failed or abandoned them. They were not on their own; God was with them. God later repeated His instructions, assurances, and promises to Joshua after he had taken over leadership from Moses. [2]

Jesus' followers can also accept these promises. Our Promised Land isn't the physical land of Israel but our home with God. If we read passages in the New Testament — Jesus even spoke some of them — we find the same ancient admonition and promises, although they are packaged in slightly different words. But, these passages are also for us:

  • We shouldn't be afraid or panic as we face the future and challenges ahead of us. [3]
  • The Lord is going ahead of us to prepare the way for us to share in His glory. [4]
  • The Lord will never fail us, leave us, or abandon us as we carry out His mission — nothing can separate us from His love for us. [5]

So, dear brother or sister, be strong and courageous. We are in a saving relationship with the King of glory, and our glorious future awaits with Him and His return! We must remember these promises as we face challenges in our earthly relationships.

[1] Deuteronomy 31:7-8.
[2] Joshua 1:1-9.
[3] John 16:31-33. Notice that the command not to be afraid is one of the most repeated commands in the New Testament, especially from the lips of Jesus — see Mark 6:50 for an example of this command tied to the name of God, "I Am!"
[4] John 14:1-3; Colossians 3:1-4.
[5] Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:26-39.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, knowing You live inside me through the Holy Spirit, I believe with all of my heart that my future with You is secure. Empower me to be courageous, not fearful, steadfast, not panicky, and committed to seeing Your presence in my life rather than worrying about being alone. I believe in my glorious future with You, so I ask for the Spirit's help so I will live into Your promises as I await Your return in glory! Maranatha. [A] Come, O Lord; we await You and your future for us! In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

[A] "Maranatha" goes back to the original disciples and is Aramaic, the common language of the Jewish people in Jesus' day. It comes from 1 Corinthians 16:22 and means, "Our Lord, come!"

Related Scripture Readings

  • Joshua 1:1-9
  • Romans 8:32-39

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Illustration

Illustration of Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT — [Moses said to the people of Israel before crossing into the Promised Land:] "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before [the people living in the land]. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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