“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”” Joshua 1:7-9
Yesterday was an interesting day as I read the above words from Joshua in one of my morning devotions and was reminded of the Law and then a couple of hours later while driving home this song on the radio called “in Christ alone” reminded me of the Gospel; it was a Luther blend of morning inspiration. It was just a wonderful reminder to be strong, courageous and place my trust in the Lord wherever I happen to be along my journey. And may these three young missionaries from Ouanaminthe remind you of where their trust is placed; in Christ alone. I am closing today with the words from a song that I heard on the radio while driving yesterday, “In Christ Alone” that was sung by Natalie Grant.
“In Christ alone my hope is found, He is my light, my strength, my song; this Cornerstone, this solid ground. Firm through the fiercest drought and storm what heights of love, what depths of peace when fears are stilled, when strivings cease. My Comforter, my All in All. Here in the love of Christ I stand, in Christ alone, who took on flesh; fullness of God in helpless babe this gift of love and righteousness. Scorned by the ones He came to save 'til on that cross as Jesus died the wrath of God was satisfied for every sin on Him was laid. Here in the death of Christ I live, I live, there in the ground His body lay; Light of the world by darkness slain then bursting forth in glorious Day up from the grave He rose again and as He stands in victory; sin's curse has lost its grip on me. For I am His and He is mine, bought with the precious blood of Christ. No guilt in life, no fear in death, this is the power of Christ in me. From life's first cry to final breath Jesus commands my destiny. No power of hell, no scheme of man can ever pluck me from His hand till He returns or calls me home. Here in the power of Christ I'll stand. I will stand, I will stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground, all other ground is sinking sand, is sinking sand. So I'll stand.”
Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay