Be Strong and Brave

Do you like change? No? Well, you're not alone. The truth is, very few people do. Picture this. Moses is preparing to die. Joshua's about to take over the leadership of Israel. They stand on the threshold of the Promised Land, with Moses giving his final instructions. They're facing powerful enemies, fortified cities, the uncertainty of a critical leadership transition. And in that moment, Moses entreats them not to be afraid, but to be strong and courageous. Well, yeah, that's easy for you to say, Moses … you're not the one crossing over the River Jordan. You're not the one having to fight battle after battle to take the Promised Land. And that's why Moses gives them the reason to be courageous: Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and be brave. Don't be afraid of those people because the LORD your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you. Most of us don't like change. As much as we might hope for this to improve or that to resolve itself (whatever your this's and that's happen to be) when change comes along, even positive change, it's unsettling because we don't know how it'll turn out. And that's especially true when change comes at a time, as it did for Israel, when we're facing some serious challenges ahead. It's one thing to be told, be strong, be brave, don't be afraid. But that's not enough. What is enough - what's always more than enough - is the reason we have to be courageous, because the LORD your God is with you. He will not fail you or leave you Because that's His Word. Fresh … for you … today