Tag: Strong and Courageous

178. O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.

2 Kings 6:8  Once when the king of Syria was warring against Israel, he took counsel with his servants, saying, “At such and such a place shall be my camp.” But the man of God sent word to the king of Israel, “Beware that you do not pass this place, for the Syrians are going down there.” And the king of Israel sent to the place about which the man of God told him. Thus he used to warn him, so that he saved himself there more than once or twice.

And the mind of the king of Syria was greatly troubled because of this thing, and he called his servants and said to them, “Will you not show me who of us is for the king of Israel?” And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.” And he said, “Go and see where he is, that I may send and seize him.” It was told him, “Behold, he is in Dothan.” So he sent there horses and chariots and a great army, and they came by night and surrounded the city.

When the servant of the man of God rose early in the morning and went out, behold, an army with horses and chariots was all around the city. And the servant said, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.” So the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

2 Chronicles 16:9    For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

2 Chronicles 32:7-8    “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there are more with us than with him.  With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God, to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people took confidence from the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

Isaiah 8:10    Take counsel together, but it will come to nothing; speak a word, but it will not stand, for God is with us.

Matthew 26:53    Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels?

Romans 8:31    What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

I am always intrigued when I read this account of Elisha and one of his servants when surrounded by the Syrian army. Two against a powerful army.  Elisha was so matter of fact.  “Do not be afraid for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”  And then to add to this statement he prayed that the Lord would open his servant’s eyes so he should see those God had supplied.  “The mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”  “If God is for us who can be against us?” “for God is with us”, “but with us is the LORD our God, to help us “.

Has God changed?  Is His protection ever far from us?  No God has not changed and He is never far from us.  He is always present.  So why does it feel like He is not close and not helping?  Is it because we are not close to Him?  Have we strayed from Him?  Have we come to love this world and what it has to offer more than humbly serving God and following and obeying Him?  Have we become blind in our faith and deaf to the knowledge of Him?  Are we like Elisha’s servant who says “what should we do”?

We stray from God when we neglect His word.  We stray away when living for Him has been replaced by so many other things that keep us busy thinking about everything but Him.  Busyness is not an excuse – it is a choice.  We can choose to be close to Him, honoring Him, serving Him, relying on Him, following Him, obeying Him, and trusting in Him – ALL OF THE TIME!!!  Not just when it is convenient or fits our schedule.

Choose to be close to Him, stay in His word each day, seek His leading, and listen for His direction.

God’s Leading

All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go

Joshua 1:16
And they answered Joshua, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. Just as we obeyed Moses in all things, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you, as he was with Moses! Whoever rebels against your commandment and disobeys your words, whatever you command him, shall be put to death. Only be  strong and courageous

Numbers 27:20
You shall invest him with some of your authority, that all the congregation of the people of Israel may obey.

Numbers 32:25
And the people of Gad and the people of Reuben said to Moses, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. Our little ones, our wives, our livestock, and all our cattle shall remain there in the cities of Gilead, but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before the Lord to battle, as my lord orders

Deuteronomy 1:31
you have seen how the Lord your God carried you, as a man carries his son, all the way that you went until you came to this place. ’ Yet in spite of this word you did not believe the Lord your God

 

It is important to note that Joshua was commanding people on entering the promised land.  He was confirming to them that God was in Control, what the plan was, and they all agreed to follow God’s plan as He instructed Joshua.  On top of this they agreed to put to death anyone who did not follow this leading.  This is a big commitment.  There are times in our lives where we will have battle (emotional, health, personal, family, children, financial and much more).  So how are we to face these battles with confidence, strength, and commitment?  I think it starts with a heart desire to know God more and more each day and continually growing, to commit to  hearing that quiet small voice leading and(OBEY IT), to trust God’s plan for this journey through life, to trust God’s plan is perfect for you, to rely on God and cling to His strength for any battle we are facing.  Start with a deep hearts desire, commit and trust, take peace in His plan, and rest on His promises.  He can do more than we ask and much more than we can imagine.  Do not limit God’s leading in your life.

Delight in God’s Word

but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night

Joshua 1:5
No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 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. 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

Genesis 28:15
Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.

1 Chronicles 28:20
“Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished

Hebrews 13:5
and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say,
“The Lord is my helper;
I will not fear;
what can man do to me”

Psalms 1:1
Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night

 

Moses had just pasted away and the Lord chose Joshua to lead the people into the promised land.  He was given three instructions (Be Strong and Courageous, Meditate on His word day and night, Follow what His word says)  with three promises (God will never leave or forsake you, You will have success, God is with you wherever you go) There is so much in our lives that can fill our time and make it seem like there is no time left for God.  At the root of this lack of time are the choices we make.  It is not that there is enough time but rather we choose to occupy our time with something else.  We push God and His word back further and further in our lives.  Soon the choices we make are made with very little understanding of God’s word.  God promised the Holy Spirit to indwell in us and to lead us through our lives so that we honor and glorify Him.  How can this leading take place if we do not have His word in our heart?  How can we stand on promises that we do not know?  How can we be a willing servant and light to others if we do not understand His word?  God speaks love, mercy, grace, hope, faith, kindness, joy, peace, generosity, patience, strength, warnings, …..to us through His word.  Do you want to see change or growth in your life – delight in His word, meditate on it, be strong and courageous.  Make each day a day in the Lord.