INTRODUCTION

Change frequently results in much fear and uncertainty. As such, change must be met and handled with strength. Young Joshua, upon the passing of Moses, assumed the leadership of the Israelites; thus the Lord repeatedly emphasized Joshua’s great need for strength (Deuteronomy 3:28But charge Joshua, and encourage him, and strengthen him: for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which thou shalt see.
See All...; Deuteronomy 31:7And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
See All..., 23; Joshua 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper withersoever thou goest.
See All..., 9). Joshua would not be successful without unwavering strength and resolve, and this strength originated not with Joshua but the God he served. Likewise, David, as a dying man, charged his son Solomon by saying, “I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man” (1 Kings 2:2I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man;
See All...). In times of change, weakness breeds panic and fear that only the strength from God can overcome.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): When Ezra led the second group of captives back to Jerusalem, he needed strength (Ezra 7:27-28 [27] Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: [28] And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel chief men to go up with me.
  See All..., 9). David needed strength when his city had changed (1 Samuel 30:3-8 [3] So David and his men came to the city, and, behold, it was burned with fire; and their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, were taken captives. [4] Then David and the people that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. [5] And David's two wives were taken captives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite. [6] And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. [7] And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. [8] And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.
  See All...). Paul needed strength when his life changed (1 Timothy 1:12-13 [12] And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; [13] Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Are you facing extreme or difficult changes in your life? Are you afraid or uncomfortable in the face of these changes? Why is it so important that you face these changes in God’s strength?
• What would have been different in Israel had Joshua or Solomon been weak in the face of the difficult changes? How would their weakness have harmed others?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Ask God for strength in times of adversity.
• Ask the Lord to help you be a testimony of strength for others.

HYMN

ABIDE WITH ME!

Receive the daily devotions on your facebook wall by clicking "Like" on http://www.facebook.com/kingjamesbibledailydevotions.