Weekly Devotional: Capital Kings "You'll Never Be Alone"

Note: this post was originally published in May of 2013 on my blog

One of my favorite passages in scripture is the beginning of the book of Joshua. God has placed the leadership of Israel on his shoulders after the death of Moses but God then reminds Joshua that's he's not in it alone. God's gonna be there right by his side. I know that sometimes I need that reassurance as well in my life. Here's how it reads and I think this song was written with this scripture in mind (at least in part). I've underlined my favorite parts.

After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 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. 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. 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.” Joshua 1:1-9

Capital Kings - You'll Never Be Alone

One of my favorite passages in scripture is the beginning of the book of Joshua. God has placed the leadership of Israel on his shoulders after the death of Moses but God then reminds Joshua that's he's not in it alone. God's gonna be there right by his side. I know that sometimes I need that reassurance as well in my life. Here's how it reads and I think this song was written with this scripture in mind (at least in part). I've underlined my favorite parts.

After the death of Moses the Lord’s servant, the Lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, “Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: ‘Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you— from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.’ No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 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. 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. 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.” Joshua 1:1-9

Bring Us Home - Joshua

I am so thankful that Andrew H. suggested this song for a class devotional a few weeks back. I knew about the album (Music Inspired by The Story) but hadn't really given it adequate play time. What a great group of artists and excellent collection of songs from the view point of key characters in the Bible. From Adam and Eve to Moses, Joshua, David, Jesus and Paul. This one's going to be played a lot around my house. 
Joshua is one of my favorite characters in the Bible. He is such a key figure in the history of the Israelites. I love that he was one of the two "good" spies that assured Moses that with God's help the Israelites could conquer the land of Canaan. The other ten "bad" spies were more convincing though and talked Moses out of the attack; hence the 40 years in the desert. Then as he takes over as the leader of his nation he gets to attack Jericho. But not head on mind you. He gets a message from the Lord who shares the battle strategy with Joshua that does not include any weapons (at least at first). It involves walking around the city and then eventually shouting and blowing horns. What a crazy plan but Joshua trusts God and everything works out to the benefit of the Israelites. 
One of my favorite scriptures also comes with Joshua. In Deuteronomy 31:6 Moses tells Joshua, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” Then in Joshua 1:9 God tells Joshua, "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."

Casting Crowns - Courageous

By far, one of the best films I've seen in a long time. What a blessing to go to a movie theater and support a faith-based film. I hope you get a chance in the next few weeks to see Courageous.

When I think of being courageous Joshua comes to my mind first. Not necessarily because he HAD great courage but he was TOLD to have courage by God.

Joshua was one of the two spies that came back to Moses, then the leader of Israel, and reported that with God they could take the land of Canaan and defeat it's people (Numbers 14:6-9). The other ten spies told Moses a different story. Joshua was a warrior as well as a spy (Exodus 17:8-16). Joshua was also Moses' successor (Numbers 27:12-23). But in Joshua 1, God tells Joshua to be strong and courageous because HE is with him. Joshua 1:5-9 says,

"No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. 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.'"

Just as Joshua was told to be strong and courageous God is telling us the same thing right now. Not to be strong in our own strength but knowing God is with us we can stand firm. Whether that be as Dads and Moms. As Husbands and Wives. Or as Teens standing firm for what's right. Fighting temptation and turning to God to find your strength. We all need to remember what God says to Joshua because he's saying it to us in 2011 just the same, "As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous..."