DADs…
Have you ever been afraid?
Afraid to fail, afraid of how things will turn out, afraid to try? Have you ever been in over your head or wondered if certain situations would ever turn around? Well, you’re in good company. We can read about people in situations like that all through the Bible. But in every situation, surrounded by uncertainty, they overcome when they rise up and determine to believe God. You can too! God believes in you. You are pre-wired for victory in the midst of scary situations. When you feel scared and overwhelmed, God wants you to be strong and courageous! What God Said to Joshua I think one of the greatest examples of someone being in over their head but coming out on top is Joshua. He had to take over a group of several million difficult people in the midst of trouble. And he had to follow a great leader. I know he had moments of fear when he looked at the insurmountable task of taking the children of Israel into the promised land. Look how many times God had to tell him to be strong! You and I can take these verses to heart as well when we feel overwhelmed.
DADs…put your name in there:
Deuteronomy 31:6 - “Be strong, courageous, and firm; fear not nor be in terror before them,
for it is the Lord your God Who goes with you; He will not fail you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:7 - “And Moses called to Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel,
Be strong, courageous, and firm, for you shall go with this people into the land which the Lord has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to possess it.”
Deuteronomy 31:23 – “And [the Lord] charged Joshua son of Nun,
Be strong and courageous and firm, for you shall bring the Israelites into the land which I swore to give them, and I will be with you.
Joshua 1:7 - “Only you be strong and very courageous, that you may do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 – “Have not I commanded you? (commanded!). Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:18 - “Only be strong, vigorous, and of good courage.”
Joshua 10:25 - “Joshua said to them, Fear not nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage. For thus shall the Lord do to all your enemies against whom you fight.”
It’s Normal
DADs...I don’t know about you, but those verses encourage me.
God is with us! If you’re going through a potentially fearful situation, read them again and again to build your faith. Notice how many times God had to tell Joshua to be strong and courageous when he first stepped into his position. I believe the pressures at the beginning of an undertaking for God are greater, because the devil knows it’s easier to uproot you when you’re small. Don’t succumb! Also notice that by chapter 10, Joshua had learned it for himself and could pass it on to his people. These verses let us to know that it’s normal to be scared (nervous, unsure, concerned, at times even tormented by the pressure), but we can’t let those feelings decide anything for us.
We must stir ourselves up to be strong and courageous! And unlike Joshua, we have the Greater One living in us (1 John 4:4). We can be strengthened from the inside out! If you’re tempted to be overwhelmed or afraid when you’re in over your head, tell the devil, “It doesn’t matter if I cry every day, I am going to stand here, and stand and stand and stand (Eph. 6:13)…and in the end, when the smoke clears, that’ll be ME you see, standing there with the victory firmly in my grasp. I’ll never quit. You can’t beat me!” Keep that picture clearly in your mind. Determine to hold fast to God’s command to be strong and courageous, so you can fulfill His will and come out on top!
So what’s the message in this story for YOU DADs?
- Be self aware and have humility;
- At each life stage the enemy will be lurking;
- Never quit;
- Stay in the word;
- Build your faith DAILY;
- You become the example! (Must practice…verse 10!)
- Do NOT succumb ever!
- Be Strong and Very Courageous!
No matter the outcome...No matter the score...No matter the decision...
The VICTORY has already been won. You are Undefeated in Christ and He will use you for His glory in ALL circumstances!
DADs…do not stand on the sidelines of life…get off the bench…“get in the game”…
Today is game day…and so is every day…God gives you!
So…C’mon DADs…Suit Up!
To follow the “Suit Up” Movement…
