DAILY STRENGTH FOR MEN
February 12 (day 1)

A PREGAME PEP TALK

"I hereby command you; Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Joshua 1:9 NRSV

Moses is dead. God has anointed his long-time assistant, Joshua, as the leader. God commands Joshua to lead his people across the Jordan and into the land that he has promised to give them.

Joshua's head must be swimming. He is replacing the only leader he and the rest of his people had ever known. He will have to coordinate the movements of thousands and thousands of people, ensure that these people and their possessions are protected, ensure that everyone has adequate food and water, and, most importantly, lead the Israelite army into battle against entrenched, unknown enemies. The future of every Israelite is dependent on his performance as a leader.

Like a coach before a big game that is sure to be pressure-packed, God gives a speech that reassures Joshua through repetition. Three times God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous:

* "Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them." (v.6)

* "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." (v.7)

* "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (v.9)

At the end of the speech, Joshua is ready to lead.

What challenges will you face today? Tomorrow? Next week? You may not be sure, but God knows. Are you prepared? Are you ready? Do you have what it takes? If you rely on God, then the answer to each of these questions is "yes." He has commanded you to be strong and courageous, because he is with you wherever you go.