the message at the beginning and at the end was the same…

I love reading the book of Joshua. It is an awesome korero about a mighty man of God called Joshua who smoked every giant and obstacle that came his way. He only suffered 1 defeat in his entire life - wouldn’t mind a track record like that aye!

In the beginning of his campaign, the Lord was very clear to him, paraphrased obviously:

“Boy, you’re about to enter in to an amazing land - it’s all before you and trust Me, it’s a good land! You’re gonna have to fight for it but don’t worry, I’ll be with you. But know this, you’re gonna have to be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS. Hold on tight. Put on your big boy pants and be COURAGEOUS.”

After this, Joshua went in and literally smoked all of his enemies. He and Israel conquered the land and all the opposition that stood before them.

Then, at the end of his life, Joshua gives instructions to the next generation. He spells out for them super clear that despite the fact that the land now had rest and all the enemies had been smoked, they had to be STRONG AND COURAGEOUS.

Aye? What?

I thought Joshua had nailed every giant and opposition that had come his way?

Yes, he did.

But now, he was giving them the same instruction but with a different purpose . . .

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS . . . TO MAINTAIN YOUR FAITH AND LOVE FOR THE LORD.

You see, anyone can start a fire . . . but it takes heart, mahi, determination and focus to maintain it.

It’s the same with your faith.

The children of Israel had entered the promised land . . . now they had to be strong and courageous to maintain it.

I mean, anyone can start a diet.

Anyone can get married.

Anyone can start a fitness regime.

It takes work to maintain it.

Whanau, my encouragement to you today is to BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS and to MAINTAIN the fire of your faith.

More on this next week . . .