DO NOT BE DISCOURAGED

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JOSHUA AND CALEB

Read Deuteronomy 1:1–40


     "See, the LORD your God has given you the land. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, told you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged."   Deuteronomy 1:21 NIV

     The Israelites were miraculously delivered as God divided the Red Sea and let them walk across on dry ground– which should have been enough to convince them that God was on their side. In spite of this, when it was time to enter the promised land, they did not trust in the Lord their God. They said, "The LORD hates us; so he brought us out of Egypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us. Where can we go? Our brothers have made us lose heart…" (27b-28a)

     Ten spies were sent into the land, but only two believed that God would give them victory. God, through Moses, said to the people, "Not a man of this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your forefathers, except Caleb and Joshua… your children who do not yet know good from bad…they will enter the land. I will give it to them and they will take possession of it." (1:35-39)

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     Lord, grant us the faith to do Your will, no matter how challenging it may be. Help us to wait upon you for the emotional and physical strength only You can give. I pray that we will be faithful to lead our children into Your promises, and not fall behind so that they must enter alone. “May All Who Come Behind Us Find Us Faithful!” (Jon Mohr)

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     "If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all–how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?"    Romans 8:31 32 NIV