January 16 – Devotional
Scripture Reading: Joshua 1:1-9
Key Verses: 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
God called Joshua to lead the Israelites after the death of Moses. The people had spent 40 years wandering in the desert, and now Joshua prepared to lead them across the Jordan River into Canaan. Can you imagine the fear Joshua experienced? He faced a huge undertaking, which included fighting against the giants who still occupied the area to gain possession of the land. However, in this passage, God spoke to Joshua with words of encouragement. God reminded Joshua of His promises to Moses; He would give His people possession of the Promised Land and victory over the land’s current occupants. Most importantly, God promised that He would go with Joshua and the people. The good news for us today is that God continues to go before us and with us. There is no where we can go where He is not already there. Thanks be to God!
Pray:
- What makes you anxious or fearful regarding our church’s future?
- Where do you find encouragement to see God’s best future for First Houston United Methodist Church?
- What hopes and opportunities excite you as we anticipate the way God will work in and through our church in the future?
Listen: With open eyes, ears, and heart, listen for God to speak to you now and throughout the day.
Share: You can share your thoughts where you feel best. You can share your thoughts in your printed devotional booklet, you can share below in the comments, you can share a comment on our Facebook page, or you can share a comment on the First Houston United Methodist Church App by following the Daily Devotionals Channel.
