A Daily Devotion for Thursday, April 23
- ontrakk
- 23 hours ago
- 2 min read
Joshua 1:6-9
“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the LORD your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.
I have experienced what the writer described as he suddenly found himself flying out over the water. Who made that decision to jump, anyway? Many, many times in my life I have stopped, frozen in indecision, unable to move forward, only to find myself stepping off into that unknown, literally feeling nudged or pushed. It is God’s Holy Spirit when we know the decision is His will. Maybe it is unclear to us at the time, or we have too many earthly concerns clouding our judgement. For me, the solution is continuing to nurture my relationship with the Spirit, knowing its guidance is always the best choice.
Holy Lord, help me to see your path for me, and to move forward, unafraid. Amen
Becky, transforming
Joshua 1:6-9. Out of my comfort zone
Moses has died and God is telling Joshua now it is your job to lead all these people to the Promised land. A place he had ever been and knew nothing about. Anyone would be afraid and questioning--ME? What Joshua had though was trust. God repeated the words "be strong and courageous" three times, but he also reminded Joshua, that He would be there with him wherever you go. Trust, knowing in your heart that God will help you do something you are not sure you can do.
Prayer: Gracious God, I've trusted you many times in my life. You've helped me learn so may new ad wonderful things. Thank you. AMEN
Thursday, April 23rd, 2026
Out of my comfort zone
(Focus. For courage in new situations
Today’s reading Joshua 1:6-9 (in my most fearful moments I can always depend on God)
Isaiah 41:13
For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
And this Scripture is telling us, that the greatest promise is the promise that our God is with us wherever we go. (Joshua 1:9) It doesn't matter what we’re struggling with, what are our challenges? We need God's presence in our life and the way to do this is not to hope for some magical results but it is to be careful…
Joshua 1:6-9/Isaiah 41:13
I have been up north this week on Scouting business. Last night I visited a Cub Scout Pack and Boy Scout Troop in Berlin. When Berlin was a thriving mill town there were 8 Scout troops chartered there. In 2026 there is one Cub Pack and one Scout troop. They both meet on Wednesday night, having their opening together, then splitting for separate activities. There were two Cub Scouts and two Boy Scouts in attendance. With them were six dedicated adult leaders determined to keep Scouting alive in a very economically depressed environment. I thought of them this morning as I read the verses from Joshua and Isaiah. Despite the formidable obstacles they face, these folks remain…