Be Strong

Deuteronomy 31:23

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

Moses reminded Joshua that to lead God’s people successfully, he had to be strong. You cannot make it in the ministry if you are not strong. The reason you cannot make it in the ministry without being strong is because you are fighting an opponent that is greater than this world; you are fighting Satan and his devils. The believer must be strong if they will live for God and fulfill His will for their lives. If we are to be strong, then what does it mean to live this way?

First, being strong means to be determined. Determination says you will not quit no matter how hard it may be. Determination says you will find a way when there seems to be no way. Determination says that quit is not in its vocabulary. Determination keeps the believer doing right and trying to find a way forward even if they must die trying to make it happen. You will only be successful serving God if you are determined not to let sin, life, troubles, and obstacles stop you from being for God what He wants you to be.

Second, being strong means to be spirited. A little enthusiasm has never hurt anyone. We ought to be enthusiastic about what we do for God. Enthusiasm is contagious. You will be surprised how others will want to do what you are doing for God if you will become enthusiastic about what you do for Him. People will sign on to serving God if you are enthusiastic about it.

Third, being strong means to be tough. You can't whine about how hard it is to serve God and serve Him successfully. Stop talking about how tough it is to serve God and be tough to face the great challenges that only an omnipotent God can help you to overcome. When you are tough and don't allow whining to be a part of your walk is when your life becomes a challenge for others to want to emulate.

Fourth, being strong means to be resolved. You will not be strong for God if you think there is another life that is more worthy of living for than living for Christ is. You must be resolved that the greatest life to live is the life lived for Christ. Don't become enamored with the things of this world, but you must be strong to keep your focus on fulfilling God’s purpose for placing you on this earth.

Fifth, being strong means to be resilient. Being strong means you will get back up if you are knocked down. Being strong does not allow failure to be the last chapter of your life, but it gets up and tries again until success is the last chapter of your life. You must be strong to continue to get back up after each failure you face.

The key to being strong is to understand that being strong is a decision. When you turn the phrase be strong around, you will notice that being strong is to “strong be.” In other words, being strong just becomes you; you choose to be strong. You choose to get back up. You choose to be tough. You choose to have enthusiasm. You choose to be determined. Being strong says that you don't need others to motivate you because the love of Christ constraineth us. (2 Corinthians 5:14) Fall in love with Christ, and your love for Christ will help you to choose to be strong despite anything that life throws your way.