In today’s episode, the fourth episode of our confidence series, Cultivating Unshakable Confidence, we talked about someone who took a big, courageous step: Joshua. 

When Moses died,  God asked Joshua to be strong and courageous, because he would lead the people of Israel to the promised land.  

“Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you..” - Joshua 1:5

And then the famous words:

 “Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause these people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.” - Joshua 1:6

Not only did God promise Joshua the promised land, but He promised to be with him in that place. For us too, it isn’t just a matter of going; It's a matter of being in our “there” together with God. 

We enjoyed talking about our need to focus our minds on promises. Although God gave Joshua a command (as he does us!), if we feel compelled by commands only, we are going to work ourselves to the bone and will grow exhausted fast. But if we can keep our eyes on the promise and the provisions behind the command, then we are equipped to actually do it. 

We also had a good discussion about how we don't have to invent our own righteousness. We don't need to invent our own godly desires. All of those things come from Him, part of our inheritance when we are in Christ.

Finally, we talk about practical things we can do. The biggest practical step Joshua took is that the book of instruction did not depart from his mouth or his mind. Joshua carefully rehearsed God's Word, God's truth. We are not promised an easy life as Christians. Matter of fact, we are promised that in this life we will have trouble.  Yet whatever it is we face, God encourages us to be strong and courageous and fix our minds on His truth. And that is to the grace and the mercy and the glory of the One who rescues. 

Challenge for this week:

Joshua's example is powerful, strong, and definitely motivating. For this week's challenge, we encourage you to read through Joshua's chapter 1.

And if you don't feel strong and you don't feel courageous, that's okay too. But start praying that God will show you that He is your strength. This is a great passage to start meditating on, to memorize, and take with you.

Listener question of the week:

For this week’s question, AJ and Jen shared about their first job! Do you guys have any guesses where these ladies worked first? Christmas retail and an armed robbery were involved. Give it a listen and find out what happened!

By the way, thank you for sending in these questions. If you have a question for us, we’d love to answer it!  It can be super silly or a little bit deeper. It doesn't matter just email us at hello@thesojoacademy.com.