Saturday, May 5, 2018

strong and steadfast


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~


t


I command you: Be strong and steadfast!

Do not fear nor be dismayed, 

for the Lord, your God, 

is with you where ever you go.


Joshua 1:9


~







It seems like things must be getting pretty serious, 

when the Lord, your God, starts commanding.


I read these verses (Joshua 1:1-9) in a bible study the other morning.

I was expecting to read that I am never alone,

that God will always comfort me...

I cannot be more grateful for that...

But, well, things have been particularly difficult as of late.

We continue to get bad news regarding health, job security, children...

and not to sound ungrateful, but I already know that God is beside me

yet the hits keep coming.

~



Three times in verses 1-9 does God say "be strong and steadfast."

The third time He commands it.

The second time (in the NAB) he tells us 

"only be strong and steadfast."

~

God loves to call us to action. 

 I love when He catches me not paying attention,

and he says the same thing over and over, commands it even,

until I snap out of it, and pull myself back together. 

Because as much as I would have loved to roll myself into a ball

and cry on my bed last week, it wasn't an option.


He gave me everything I need to get through whatever it is I need to get through

He says, Be strong and steadfast and I am with you.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~






5 comments:

  1. Such strength and perseverance in this post.
    Thank you for affirming the Truth that God is not absent, nor is He on the sidelines, when trouble comes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This post is beautiful. It is so hard to endure in these challenging seasons. Your post brought to mind the verse ..."So let's not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing is we don't give up" (Gal. 6:9, NLT). "Only be strong and steadfast" by His Spirit. Thank you for encouraging me this morning! Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  3. One year my word for the year was endurance. I was shocked as I discovered how much God has to say about steadfastness, perseverance and endurance. I pray that with the strength to be steadfast through your tough circumstances that He also lavishes you with His love and comfort-healing and provision, too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Prayers that the trials be shortened for you and your family. I use to always be in bed with head covered, but then there were children to attend. Now no children, but glad for what I have learned from my Bible reading. It is hard though, and I understand as does God, I'm sure. Why life can't always be sunshine and lollypops, I'll never know. Oh to be a child again and just enjoy. So many virtual hugs coming your way.

    Peabea from Peabea Scribbles

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wonderful thoughts - prayers that God continues to stand with you as you travel through some difficult times.

    ReplyDelete