SUCCESS
Suggested Reading: Joshua 1
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Broad Wall is an ancient defensive wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. The wall was unearthed in the 1970s and dated to the reign of King Hezekiah (late 8th century BC). The Broad Wall is a massive defensive structure, seven metres thick. The motivation for building the wall was the expected invasion of Judea by Sennacherib. The wall is referred to in Nehemiah 3:8 and Isaiah 22:9-10. This would have been similar to the walls of Jericho as described in the Book of Joshua.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Today, “You will make your way prosperous,” and “You will have good success.” How can I predict this with confidence? The answer is that you are faithfully participating with me in this blog. You are confessing God’s Word with your mouth. You are meditating consistently on what you read. And you are practicing what you are learning. Yes? Yes!
Four times in our reading the Lord says, ” Be strong and of good courage.” Could we agree that God wants to get through to us with this message? Yes? And yes, again! If we could listen in on God’s conversation with Joshua, we might observe other ways that God emphasizes His message, but for us His way is to repeat Himself. May I suggest that all of us repeat 4X these words out loud if possible, “BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE!”
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, I’ve held in my hand Your answer to spiritual and even material prosperity as I’ve read Your Word today. Grant that Your Word will permeate my being. May Truth fill every cell of my body, even more than the breath in my lungs or the blood in my veins. I pray this prayer with fervency, and in Jesus’ Name. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
Many of the sites of Joshua’s conquest are in what is today Palestinian Authority territory. There are many locations in which David Reynold Mainse took photographs at no cost to Crossroads which, God willing, we’ll see here on my blog as we read through Joshua, Judges, 1st and 2nd Samuel and on. For example, Jericho, with its ruins of what once were walls, the fountain of Elisha, and many events that took place in Samaria with King Ahab and Jezebel, are presently under the control of Palestinians. I’m also looking forward to seeing pictures from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, where many more Biblical events took place. My son spent over three months in the pursuit of excellent photographs. I give him these words today, “Be strong and of good courage.” His current mission is in Uganda, Africa. Please remember him in your prayers. His strong and courageous wife, Kathy, faithfully serves the Lord together with my son in a ministry called, “World Embrace” (WE).
Yours for strength and courage,
David
P.S. Here is a clip from 100 Huntley Street that illustrates strength and courage. It highlights Nick Walenda’s amazing tight rope walk across Niagara Falls a few years back. Did you see it? It was on almost every major TV channel across North America. As he walked you could hear him saying, “Thank You, Jesus!” and “Praise You, Lord!” (click here).
Beautiful photos, Reynold; thank you for your dedication to your father’s blog and your’s and Kathy’s ministry. Be strong and courageous! Weighed down with the flu, but I know so many other saints are suffering, too. God, hold us up, and give us strength, that we may be courageous in our fight for You! Wishing all a better day, in the Lord.
Thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ.
2 Cor 2:14 NIV
You Are Mine – David Haas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sgm9lkTNQmc
My prayer for you Beverlee is that you will be healed quickly of the flu. Also this can be a time when you can rest in The Lord, from all the busyness of our lives. This is what I am doing and actually glad of it. The Lord knows what we need better than we do. I am also finding that all things are still moving along without me.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Amen, agreeing in prayer with you Eleanor, both for you and Beverlee!!
Thank you Irene. xx
Amen David, “Be strong and of good courage.” I prayed your prayer and claimed the promises in Joshua 1. Will pray for Reynold, Kathy and son in Uganda as I go out now today. Prayers for you too Pastor David and Norma Jean and family.
Just curious is there a difference between GOOD courage vs just plain old courage? If so what would it be? Isn’t courage just courage, either you have it or you don’t? Or does the Scripture infer there is such a thing as BAD courage or using courage in the WRONG way? If you can misuse courage how? Any thoughts from my wise blog buddies?
I believe you are over thinking the words “Good Courage.” No I do not think there is any thing like bad courage. There is such a thing as little courage. So, I think, when the God tells Joshua to have good courag He means not to have a lack of courage.
Someone else may have a better response, but that is my thought on this matter.
Don Stubbs
I know there is no word in the Bible that isn’t there for a specific reason, which is why I was curious why God didn’t just say be strong and courageous — why add good in there– but your explanation sound reasonable and I could be over thinking it, Thanks for the reply
I prayed your prayer for today Pastor Mainse.
What mighty words in Joshua 1: 8 from our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
Praise God Almighty for His sincere guidance and love for us all.
Praying that God would supply all our needs as we put our faith and trust
in Him, in Jesus’ precious Name, Amen!!
Donna courage from what I know is strength in waiting on God who will tell us what we need to do . The other kind of courage is standing up for what you believe in I hope that will help you.
Lianne Hogg
Amen Lianne…Leaning on the Lord, no on our own strength!
oops,,,should read “not on our own strength!”
Yes that does makes sense, Good courage is from the One who is Good, while regular courage would be the kind we draw from our own strength– making the Lord the source of our courage is the type of courage God would encourage us to have– Thank you for the insight.
Amen David, be strong in the Lord…that is my prayer for you. For the Lord’s continued healing. Praying for strength and moments of rest for Norma-Jean as she ministers to your need. Lord Jesus I pray for everyone in this family as they give of themselves, glorifying you and honoring You Jesus.
For each one to “be strong and of good courage”.
Bless each one, for this blog, and for your ministry in every area of your lives. Jesus I pray this in Your Mighty Holy Name, Amen!!
amen Irene amen!!!!
blessings to all