Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
March 26, 2024
Deuteronomy 31:1-8
1 Then Moses said these words to all Israel, 2 telling them: I’m 120 years old today. I can’t move around well anymore. Plus, the LORD told me “You won’t cross the Jordan River.” 3 But the LORD your God, he’s the one who will cross over before you! He’s the one who will destroy these nations before you so you can displace them. Joshua too will cross over before you just like the LORD indicated. 4 The LORD will do to these enemies the same thing he did to the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, and to their land when he destroyed them. 5 The LORD will lay them out before you, and you will do to them exactly what the command I’ve given you dictates. 6 Be strong! Be fearless! Don’t be afraid and don’t be scared by your enemies, because the LORD your God is the one who marches with you. He won’t let you down, and he won’t abandon you. 7 Then Moses called Joshua and, with all Israel watching, said to him: “Be strong and fearless because you are the one who will lead this people to the land the LORD swore to their ancestors to give to them; you are the one who will divide up the land for them. 8 But the LORD is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!”
Good Morning! The Lord is marching by our side!
Be strong and bold! This sounds a bit like a coach’s pregame pep talk. Whenever we embark upon a new journey, we experience some fear and excitement. This is normal, and we need the adrenaline that those emotions evoke. To conquer what stands before us, we must be confident that we will survive this test. The coach reminds us of our strengths and the ways in which we have prevailed in the past.
When we reach half-time, and depending upon how things are going, the coach might repeat similar words to bring us back to our task at hand. We need frequent reminders to be strong and bold. We need to hear the stories of how we have overcome adversities in the past.
Moses is coaching the Israelites for their next journey. This is a journey where Moses must stay on the sidelines, in fact, on the other side of the river. Moses has reminded them of how God has marched beside and before them, and that the Lord will continue to do so. 8 But the LORD is the one who is marching before you! He is the one who will be with you! He won’t let you down. He won’t abandon you. So don’t be afraid or scared!”
Gracious God, Thank you for this beautiful gift of life. Thank you for sending prophets and signs so that we remember to be strong and bold! We thank you! In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Do not dread the future because God is with us.
Be strong and bold! Pastor Liz