strong and steadfast

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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

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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.

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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."

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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.

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