OPEN HEAVENS DAILY DEVOTIONAL
DATE: SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2020.
THEME: BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.
MEMORISE:
What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31
READ: Deuteronomy 31:5-8
5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
MESSAGE:
When the leadership of the children of Israel was handed over to Joshua, he was really afraid. He knew it would take a lot of wisdom to resolve conflicts and deal with complaints among his people. He had also seen how they were faced with huge obstacles the past- the Red Sea, lack of food and water in the wilderness, enemies coming against them and many more. Joshua was sure he would need a special anointing to overcome such obstacles if they came up again.
God however, knew that with fear in the heart of Joshua, he would not be able to lead the Israelites to the promised Land, so He had to remind him:
“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:9
Beloved, if you will succeed in your divine purpose and assignment, you must be strong and courageous, confident that God is with you at all times. Fear is a strategy of the devil to limit you; never allow it in your heart. No matter how great a task is, as long as God is with you, you have succeeded already.
The Israelites were afraid of Goliath and would have been delivered into the hands of the Philistines, but for David’s godly confidence (1 Samuel 17:24). Despite the fact that David was young, the moment he stepped into the situation, everything changed. All God needed to deliver His people was courage, not necessarily skills. Your abilities are not sufficient to guarantee your success. God is however, more than enough to help you succeed. All He needs is your courage; not experience, connections or skills- just courage.
Good courage is taking steps in the face of fear, difficulties and danger with the confidence that God is with you.
As you go about your various activities today, be strong and of a good courage. God is with you and you will definitely overcome, in the mighty name of Jesus.
PRAYER REQUEST:
Father, please banish every form of fear in my life and help me to be strong and courageous, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: John 6
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 26: STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS.
1. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry, His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.
2. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! The trumpet call obey:
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day;
Ye that are men now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.
3. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! Stand in His strength alone,
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own;
Put on the gospel armor, and watching unto prayer,
Where calls the voice of duty, be never wanting there.
4. Stand up, stand up for Jesus! the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh a crown of life shall be;
He with the King of glory shall reign eternally.
Amen and Amen
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