Be Strong - The One Year Salt and Light Devotional

Joshua 1:1-9

Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)

THE SEPARATISTS IN CHRISTIAN HISTORY—those who have withdrawn from the world or from the larger body of Christ to live out their own interpretations of faith unhindered—have often added a needed perspective to the Christian community. In many cases, their motives have been inspired. But some formed their own communities or movements out of fear. They feared being influenced by the world, being controlled by the doctrines and policies of others, and losing their focus on the realm of the Spirit. They did not withdraw to devote themselves; they retreated to save themselves.

Fear is an unnecessary attitude in the minds and hearts of believers—and usually a harmful one. Yes, our fallen world is full of obstacles to true faith and a relationship with God, and some of those obstacles can be rather intimidating. Opponents are sometimes aggressive and insulting. But too many Christians withdraw because they fear for their reputation, want to avoid conflict, or hate the stigma that comes with being a believer of an ancient faith. Many do not have the assurance that they can defend what they believe or whether what they believe is even defendable. Their faith may or may not be secure. Their confidence clearly isn’t.

The good news is that you don’t have to be a bold extrovert to influence the world with your faith. You can go into your daily routines and interactions with the quiet confidence of your true identity, carrying the atmosphere of the Kingdom within you and drawing people into awareness and eventual conversations. But you can’t do that from seclusion. You have to go out.

Never fear the giants in the land. You are called to take territory for God’s Kingdom. That territory is a Promised Land given by someone who does not fail to keep his word. Trust in him. Go forward. You may not have all the arguments, but you have truth. And God will defend you in it.

{Lord, adversaries can be brutal to believers, and sometimes I’d rather avoid them. But you have promised victory. May I walk in it confidently and consistently wherever I go. May I step into every inch of your promises. Amen.