BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS BY PASTOR CHRIS OYAKHILOME.
Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them (Joshua 1:6).
There’s a certain mentality you must have as a Christian; it’s the mentality of a victor; the mindset of courage and strength, where you know that come what may, you’ll always win. It’s a requirement; it’s something that God demands of you. He demanded it of Joshua as he started out in ministry.
Joshua had been with Moses, and observed that Moses was never defeated, for God Almighty was with him. The same God who was with Moses, after Moses’ demise, told Joshua, “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5). What a message! It leaves no room for fear!
If you’re a pastor, for example, and some detractors walk into your place of worship to make trouble, don’t chicken out; take dominion. Notice God’s instruction in Joshua 1:6, “Be strong and of a good courage….” It doesn’t matter that the government is colliding with you, trying to resist God’s work, be courageous, for their defence is taken away from them (Numbers 14:9). Greater is He that’s in you, than he that’s in the world (1 John 4:4).
It doesn’t matter how seemingly powerful your adversaries are, “Be strong and of a good courage….” Someone might say, “But we all get discouraged sometimes”; no! Discouragement isn’t for Christians! We’re required to be strong and very courageous—always—not sometimes. How could you be discouraged when you’re one with the Lord? He’s your strength and your joy! He’s your song, your victory and your salvation.
Never find yourself in discouragement. Never wear a sad face, berating yourself for what you might have done wrong or crying over what others might have said or done against you. No weapon fashioned against you shall prosper (Isaiah 54:17). That’s the Word of the Lord concerning you. Read and meditate on Psalm 27:1-3: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell….” Blessed be God!
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