Stand Strong and Courageous

"God's Word is shallow enough not to drown the young, but deep enough that the greatest theologian will never touch the bottom."  Augustine

Love this quote!  It caught my eye...and my heart...as soon as I read it.

I find this to be so true.  As a child we can be taught the Word of God and...even when we don't want it to be so...those Words stay with us forever.  As children we understand what the Bible stories mean...what the verses mean that we memorize...why it's important to accept Jesus as your Savior...and you even understand the difference between Heaven and Hell and GOD and satan.  If you are exposed to God and His Word at all as a child...you get it! 

Now, I'm no theologian but as a "reformed rebel"..."thankful child of GOD"...I learn something new everytime I open my Bible and study the Words found there.  For me it's not just the learning of new things but, more importantly, how the Word speaks to me...what I get from it at the time I'm reading it right now!  If I'm reading with an open mind and heart...and really searching for help...I find that help in the words within the Word!  The meaning is not hidden from me as it seemed it was before I came to know Jesus as my Savior.  The Holy Spirit is there helping me to understand what I am reading now.

One of my favorite passages is...

Joshua 1:7-9

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. ⁸ Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. ⁹ This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

My study Bible says...God was telling Joshua that he needed to be strong and courageous to be successful against the Canaanites. And...the Book of Instruction probably refers to the book of Deuteronomy. 

Nevertheless...I believe that it holds true for us today. We have the whole Bible and we need to read it and take heed to what the Lord is telling us through His Word.  Live the way we should.  Follow the example that Jesus set down for us.  Be faithful in reading the Word...your Bible.  Pray and meditate...sit and think about what it says...daily.  Let it seep into your heart...soul...mind...so that when troubles come you can stand firm in your faith. Or...when people you know are going through things you can be there to pray for them and help them in any way they need. Having the Word planted deeply within our hearts and minds helps us to stand strong and courageous in the toughest of times!  Even when those things may scare us or discourage us we can remember that we have a Savior who is with us...always!  

The Lord knew that I needed to be reminded of this scripture this morning.  I pray it somehow helped you as much as it did me.  

Take a little time out to sit and meditate on the Word that He has for you today.  I believe the Lord will honor you for it and speak something that you need to hear into your heart and soul!  What He speaks to you could be life changing in your circumstance today.