⁵There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

 ⁶Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.

 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.

 ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

 ⁹Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee.

              God was about to use Joshua mightily in order to fulfill the promises that He had given to the Isrealites. Joshua was called of God, but initially, he had no idea of what he was up against. Wars were on the horizon for him and his people in order to obtain the Promise Land. He had every reason to be fearful and to doubt God's plan for his life,  but God encouraged him three times to be strong and of a good courage.

               With God, repetition is so important. When God repeats Himself, it is for the purposes of instruction and assurance. He instructs us today, as He did back then with Joshua, to be strong and courageous because we are all in a spiritual battle. We do not know our future but God does. He knows the plans that He has for us (Jer. 29:11). Therefore, it is imperative that we obey God and follow after His will. I'm sure that Joshua can attest to the fact that there is victory in obedience.

              In spite of whatever we come up against in 2006, we can be strong, very courageous and have PEACE, knowing that the Lord of hosts is with us and the God of Jacob is our refuge and strength. That's the assurance that we have from God. In v. 9, He made it very clear that "the Lord thy God is with thee". Knowing that He is all the love, support, strength, joy, peace, defense, etc. that I need, I have no reason to be afraid in this year (and neither do you). Today, I stand on God's promise to me - "As I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."

             I'm living proof that God is EVER FAITHFUL. If He said it, He's good for it. Believe Him. It's now just up to you and me to do our part. God admonishes us to delve deep into His Word and to live by it. In it are the keys to love, life, fulfillment and abundance. God says in v. 8 that it is only then that we can be prosperous and have good success. A university degree, connections with high rollers and social elites, a big bank account, pieces of real estate, etc. cannot make me prosperous. True prosperity in EVERY level/area of life can only come from God.

              This year, 2006, I declare that the Lord will fight my battles (cuz I'm done trying). As I get deeper in His Word, I anticipate the changes that will take place. God knows what He has in store for me. It's all about obedience in this year. I want everything I say and do to be in line with the Word of God and His will for my life. May my life in 2006, my twentieth year on this earth, be a praise unto my God.

~MissJade~

"Praise is who I am...I will praise Him while I can"

⁹ Proclaim this among the nations:

      “ Prepare for war!
      Wake up the mighty men,
      Let all the men of war draw near,
      Let them come up.   

¹⁰ Beat your plowshares into swords
      And your pruning hooks into spears;
      Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’

 
¹¹ Assemble and come, all you nations,
      And gather together all around.
      Cause Your mighty ones to go down there, O LORD.
      

¹² “ Let the nations be wakened, and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat;
      For there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
      

¹³ Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe.
      Come, go down;
      For the winepress is full,
      The vats overflow—
      For their wickedness is great.”
      

¹⁴ Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision!
      For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
      

Hey you...Wake up...there's work to do! The harvest is white...but the labourers are few. How'd ya like that rhyme?? ahaha...Anyways, now it's 5:06 am and I need to get back to studying for my exams. Laterz! Smooches!

~MissJade~