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April 14, 2016 – Deuteronomy 31:7-8

Deuteronomy31-7-8Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land that the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall put them in possession of it. It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:7-8Do you remember the memory verse that includes Be strong and courageous?  Maybe your parents say, Don’t be a cry-baby?  And you think, I don’t have a suit of armor to put on that makes me strong and helps me not be fearful! If I did wouldn’t be scared and I could be strong as a lion.God said this first to Moses.  Moses had plenty of reason to be afraid and want to go hide in the closet.  He was taking a whole tribe of people, men, women and children, out from slavery from Egypt.  The king and all his soldiers followed him.  Suddenly the Red Sea was before them and the soldiers close behind.  Moses had a weapon.  He had faith in God and God Himself protected him by making a dry path through the sea.King David said the same thing to his son, Solomon, as he began building a temple to worship God in.  Then he added, He will not leave you until your work for the Lord is finished.  Jesus said the same thing, “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  Ephesians 6:11. (To find what armor God gives us, read Ephesians 6:13-18)How strong and courageous will you be in my day of reckoning (when Jesus comes again)? Ezekiel 22:14aThen David said to Solomon his son, “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.”  I Chronicles 28:20