"Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
- Joshua 1:6-9 -

Joshua had to succeed Moses, a great leader. He must have felt fear and discouragement of doing the great task. But the Lord was encouraging Joshua in two ways.

1. Be strong and courageous. Just as God was with Moses, He would be with Joshua (5,9). He needs to trust in the Lord and be strong and courageous. So this command was repeated three times.

2. He shouldn't turn to the right or to the left. We see so much division among Christians; some went to the far right and some went far to the left. The Lord said to Joshua to read the words diligently and meditate it day and night. It then will lead us to stand with the truth of God and even to obey everything written in it.

From yesterday, our church started 40 days' relay (chain) prayer for our church's leadership change. At the time of my retirement this October, it will be 38 years of my service with CCC. Our church voted Geoff Luellen as the next pastor after me. We pray for Geoff to become a leader like Joshua to be strong and courageous and do not turn to the right or to the left but to stand with the deep words of God that God may be with him and be prosperous and successful.

Prayer: Dear Lord, bless us that we may hear your voice, 'Be strong and courageous' and 'Do not turn to the right or to the left.' May we carefully obey you!