Be Strong and Courageous

“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.” – Joshua 1:9 (NRSV) [1]

Christian leadership is not easy.

Pastors, and those serving in ecclesiastical roles of influence, regularly confide with me how the effects of postmodernism are impacting our Christian faith. One pastor shared:

“When I encourage my parishioners of why it is important for us to remain biblically faithful, they look at me as if I’m from another planet.”

The fruit of a philosophy that rejects absolute terms and boundaries, and challenges the possibility of absolute truth, will always create a sense of homelessness.

When we accept a cultural ethos, which defies Biblical authority, opposes “foundational truth,” and insists on ignoring, re-interpreting, or destroying the familiar landmarks of Scripture (Old and New Testament), we throw away our compass.

It’s clear: Christians (followers of Jesus) are strangers in a foreign land. But, we still have a compass to find our way.

My prayer and encouragement for each of us as followers of Christ are that we will re-examine God’s word and re-commit ourselves to faithfully follow God’s standards – even when they conflict with society’s preference.

I’m asking you to join me throughout this year in praying for your pastor, priest, and church leaders. Their roles of responsibility are essential. And, they need our encouragement to be courageous models for each of us.

The words of God spoken to Joshua are equally important for all of us:

“I command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go”…

… Even in a foreign land!

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[1] The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1989), Jos 1:9.