Morning & Evening Devotional Reading–

May 11– Evening

by C. H. Spurgeon, revised and edited by W. C. Neff

“Only be strong and very courageous.” 

—Joshua 1:7

Our God’s tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires for them to be encouraged. Some consider it a small thing for a believer to be troubled with doubts and fears, but God doesn’t think so. This text tells us that our Master doesn’t want us to be entangled with fears; he wants us to live without anxiety, without doubt, and without cowardice.

Our Master does not think as lightly of unbelief as we do. When we are discouraged, we are subject to a serious disease not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the Great Physician. Our Lord doesn’t want us to be sad. He is not like King Ahasuerus who decreed that no one should come into his courts with a sad face, for the King of kings invites us to come as we are. But he doesn’t want us to stay that way. He wants us to put off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise, for there are many reasons to rejoice.

The Christian is to be courageous so that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in a heroic manner. If he is fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonor God. And what a bad influence this is on others, too; the disease of doubtfulness and discouragement can soon become an epidemic among the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. If you lack courage, Satan will be too much for you.

Let your spirit be joyful in God your Savior. Let the joy of the Lord be your strength, and no fiend of hell will be successful against you. Don’t be a coward and throw your flag to the ground. Work is light to a man with a cheerful spirit, and success comes to those who are happy. He who sows in hope will reap in joy! Therefore, dear Christian, “Be strong, and very courageous.” [M&E]