Happy new year, loved ones!  I hope we all got a chance to enjoy a little rest over the holidays.  Now, it’s back to work, but that’s not a bad thing.  In our imperfect world, we don’t get to experience it the way god intended, but we are designed to have a purpose and find wholeness in fulfilling that purpose.

Last time we met, I asked a question.  If you know what you need to do, what are you waiting for?  Don’t wait for the new year to make your resolutions.  Start now!  The new year is upon us, so we really are out of excuses.  Up until sometime after 2:00am this morning, I had no clear idea what the message should be this Sunday.  When I was awakened, there was an old song in my head to which the refrain is, “so be strong and courageous.”  I know.  It has been done before…a lot.  But I knew that was the Lord’s message to us as we begin the new year.

The phrase is best known from Joshua 1:9 which reads, “Did I not command you? Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.” (Lexham English Bible)  This is part of the Lord’s commission to Joshua as he is given the charge to lead the Israelites into the promised land in the place of Moses.  As we read the surrounding scripture, we find this command repeated 6 times beginning at Deuteronomy 31:6:  once from Moses to the people, twice from Moses to Joshua, and 3 times from God Himself to Joshua.

We think of these adjectives, strong and courageous, as qualities one either possesses or doesn’t.  We know they must be developed, but we think of them in the present tense.  How then can we be strong when we are weak, and courageous when what we feel is fear?  If God commands it, there must be a way.  The answer is in the verse we just quoted, “Yahweh your God is with you.”  Our strength is His strength.  Our courage comes from knowing that the power that created the universe is on our side and will never leave us.

I believe that god is telling us at Bartimaeus Baptist Temple, “Be strong and courageous!  Complete the mission that I have given you.   Be the light that the blind may see.  Speak the word that the deaf may hear.  Smooth the way that the lame may walk.  I am with you always”

Come and join us as we hear the word of the Lord together!

Love y’all,

Larry