Daily Devotional

I never liked school. I mean, I enjoyed recess, phy ed, and lunch, because all of those involved going out on the playground to play football with my friends. But every year as summer drew to a close, and the Back to School commercials came on TV, and the Back to School circulars came in the mail, I would sink into a melancholy mood. My Mom would say, “Brian, time to go out and get you some new school clothes.” I always balked at this. The only thing I hate more than shopping is back-to-school shopping. But Mom wanted me to look presentable. I settled into my seat at homeroom on the first day, they passed out a sheet of paper with the schedule for the year. The first thing I did was count the days till Thanksgiving break, count the days till Christmas break, count the days till Easter break, and count the days till summer.

One fall, when we were just two days away from the start of school my Dad noticed how depressed I was and said, “What’s going on, Brian?” I said, “I don’t want summer to end. I don’t want to go back to school.” Dad said, “School is a necessary part of preparing you for your future in life. There are going to be things in life you don’t like, but are necessary. And school is one of those things. So make the best of it and start strong.”

Then he shared this verse with me…

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

He said, “Brian, you have accepted Christ as your personal Savior, and He is with you, so as you step out into the unknown of a new school year. Be strong and courageous.

School started August 17th for CUSD and FUSD. Fresno State starts August 24th. Even as a teacher at Red Bank, my wife Jenn, has to have a ‘start strong’ mentality with her new class of 2nd graders. For those of you starting something new this fall, I encourage you to start strong.

Joshua 1:9 is a powerful verse where God commissions Joshua to be strong and courageous, to reject fear, and trust that the Lord is with him.

Context

• Moses has died, and Joshua is stepping up to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.
• There are many unknowns. Unfamiliar territory. And leading a large nation.
• And throughout this chapter, God tells Joshua “be strong and courageous.”

A few thoughts…
1. It’s a command

• It’s not a suggestion, or a casual feeling.
• God tells us that courage is a choice we make. God commands it. We obey.

2. Don’t be afraid

• If someone is afraid, what do you tell them? Do you just say, “Stop being afraid!”
• God tells us that not being afraid is a choice we make. God commands it. We obey.
• Don’t allow heavy circumstances to crush your confidence. And pray like crazy.

3. Courage comes from God

• If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, He is with you “wherever you go.”
• Jesus said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
• We start to tremble and be dismayed when we are relying on our own strength.
• We have everything we need, in Christ, to be strong and courageous.

Remember, courage is not the absence of fear, but the choice to lean on God’s constant presence. Know that the same God who led Joshua into the Promised Land walks with you into all the challenges you will face in this new season. So start strong.

New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.