Week 28 - July 7-13, 2024: Courageous Meditation

This week’s daily readings:

July 7-13, 2024

This week’s devotional:

Courageous Meditation

By Pastor Frank Albert

Scripture:

“Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” 

— Joshua 1:7-8 (ESV) 

Reflection:

What is the source of courage Joshua is challenged to pursue?

Three times in this chapter God tells Joshua to be courageous. Joshua has just taken over the leadership of the Israelites after the death of Moses. The journey ahead for Joshua involves military conquest of the Holy Land – no small feat even though the Israelites are numerous. As we look ahead to the story of Rahab and the battle of Jericho, we learn that God’s plans are to give Joshua the victory without even fighting. So why does Joshua need courage?

God’s ways are just not our ways. It takes courage to do the opposite of what seems completely logical – try harder, learn more, pay more… but meditate? 

This will sound a bit pretentious, but I trust my ability to handle most situations. I think I don’t really need to pray about things, I can just get things done and feel successful. But God doesn’t seem to let me live there for very long. Too much confidence in myself is a sure sign that I’ll probably be in a bit of trouble soon. In his mercy, God has taught me that, when I meditate, I can really see the path forward. 

We can see that Joshua is admonished to do the active work of meditating on God’s laws as a means to being courageous. As the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:13, we can do all things through him that strengthens us, but this doesn’t happen by just sitting still. An action is invited from us: to rest in the lively Word of God and his generous presence. His law is not just a list of rules, but the evidence that he is Lord of the Universe! There’s nothing he can’t do, and when I have meditated there, I can be courageous in all things. 

Prayer: 

Father, teach me to meditate on your law so I may know you. Give me courage to face the challenges you already know I will face. Give me peace when your will is not what makes sense to me. Help me to trust you each day as I meditate on your beautiful Word and person. Amen