“… ‘No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.’”

Devotional thought: What if Adam and Eve had been strong and courageous, standing firm in the commands God had given them, when tempted by the serpent? We are all leaders, maybe not to the enormous extent of Joshua, called to replace Moses, but we all lead others through our example – the way we live out or lives. Be strong and courageous, be careful to act in accordance with God’s law/commands, be a student of The Book, be strong and courageous – do not be afraid. For the Lord God is with us wherever we go! Remember who and whose you are. “In a pluralistic society that values tolerance above all virtues, it can be hard to remember that our allegiance is to God, whose ways are often contrary to those of our neighbors. … As we actively remember God’s grace in our lives, we summon the courage to step out in faith and take on tasks and challenges that may threaten our identity and our peace. Beyond tangible reminders, we ourselves are living stones whose builder and maker is the eternal God.” (Wesleyan Life Application Topic – Remembering Who You Are, Wesley Study Bible, pg 267) This day, and everyday going forward, stand firm in God promises, stand confident that God is with you and will not forsake you, be strong and courageous, do not waver, do not be afraid, for God is with you!