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

Friday, September 27, 2024

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We pray the Lord blesses you with the grace of Jesus' presence this Christmas!

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[As Moses was handing over leadership to Joshua, Moses said to him,] "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before [the nations across the Jordan River]. 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

Encouragement from faithful Christian friends is a great blessing! Their words of affirmation and support are a great encouragement when entering a new undertaking, facing personal trials, or stepping into a leadership position. Their prayers for our strength, holiness, and courage mean a great deal when we face pushback from Satan and doubt from those around us who have less faith. I especially love those messages when these friends couple their words of encouragement with God's promises or biblical prayers. Here are two passages that mean a great deal to me:

[The Lord said to Isaiah,] "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.

. . .

"Those who attack you will come to nothing. For I hold you by your right hand — I, the Lord your God. And I say to you, 'Don't be afraid. I am here to help you. Though you are a lowly worm, O Jacob, don't be afraid, people of Israel, for I will help you. I am the Lord, your Redeemer. I am the Holy One of Israel.' " [1]

For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

So never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. [2]

Words of encouragement and affirmation that come from God and are attached to people we know in Scripture make them very powerful for us. We know their lives' outcomes and can follow their examples of faith! [3] God's presence and power in their lives can bring God's presence and power into our lives. So, please hear two messages today from our devotional thoughts on relationships:

  1. I am praying each of these Scriptures over you as I send this devotional to you. I may not know you personally until we are with Jesus in glory, but you matter to me, and I want you to embrace your life of faith with strength and courage as Joshua did!
     
  2. You know friends, leaders, and folks who are struggling and who need you to share some biblical encouragement with them. These words of Scripture and your prayers can help them continue strong in their faith while under trial, in leadership, or facing hard times.
[1] Isaiah 41:10, 12-14. The wording both here and in Isaiah 41:8 show that "Jacob" sometimes refers to the nation of Israel.
[2] 2 Timothy 1:7-8.
[3] Hebrews 13:7.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, please use these words from Your holy Scriptures to bless those I love and want to encourage:

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort [them] and strengthen [them] in every good thing [they] do and say. [A]
Now all glory to God, who is able to keep [us] from falling away and will bring [us] with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. [B]
[A] 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17.
[B] Jude 1:24-25.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Isaiah 41:1-29
  • Joshua 1:1-18

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Illustration

Illustration of Deuteronomy 31:6 NLT — [As Moses was handing over leadership to Joshua, Moses said to him,] "So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before [the nations across the Jordan River]. 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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