How to Stay Strong

Be strong, for the Lord Your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

Josh. 1:6-9; Gen. 28:15; I Cor. 16:13; Eph. 6:13; Phil. 4:13

What Is God Saying?

Joshua led the Children of Israel across Jordan until they possessed what God promised. This time of constant battle transformed desert-weary pilgrims into battle-ready warriors. They longed for rest after their hardships, but more hardships faced them. The Promised Land bristled with enemies, and the Israelites needed strong leadership.

Even Joshua, a natural-born leader, must draw upon strength beyond himself under these circumstances. It took wisdom, which all leaders need, and the courage to make these decisions against overwhelming odds. Strength and courage were the need and the command. He could draw upon one consistent, unfailing Source of courage: "For the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go."

How Does This Apply To Us?

Most of us know what it means to face overwhelming responsibilities. Our first reaction is to turn and run. We look for the nearest exit. Let someone else take the heat. I am not strong enough. I have had all I can take. All this may be true when we look inward at our resources or outward at our record, but we have an essential resource, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13). It is the same Lord. He was with Joshua to make him a leader against deeply entrenched and determined enemies. He is with us to make us "more than conquerors through Christ" (Rom. 8:37).

Pray With Me

Loving Father, strength is in character with a spiritual person. When You are with me, I have the strength to accept the heavy burden and to attempt the impossible task, to overcome the great deceiver, to deny faithlessness, to wage the good fight, to raise my voice against evil, to love the unlovable, help the unthankful, and be what a citizen of Heaven ought to be.

I rejoice in this strength, for it is not something I have achieved or earned. It is always and only Your gift, the result of Your life in me. So I thank You for Your presence, O God. I claim it as my possession and Your glory. Your presence is the treasure in this earthen vessel. The transcendent power belongs to You, not to me.

To the praise of Your strong Son, whose name is Immortal Love. Amen.

Moving On In The Life Of Prayer

God may make some unpleasant task or towering responsibility irrefutably clear as we continue praying, but we need not be terrified or discouraged. The God who calls is the God who enables. He who is with us in prayer goes out with us in service. Whenever we pray, He is there. Wherever we go, He is there.

Prayer grows strong based on His presence. We grow strong based on His being with us wherever we go.