Hello, thank you so much for joining me today for Give Him 15.

The title of today's post is, Don't Crack Under the Stress.

Joshua 1-9, have I not commanded you?

Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed,

for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. When hearing these words, Joshua was about to embark on one of the most significant and challenging

assignments any person could ever receive. The great leader, Moses, had died, and Joshua was

assuming leadership of the nation Israel. His challenge would be more than simply leading a nation

governmentally, which would have been challenging enough, but Joshua would also be doing so as a

general, leading them to war. He would need to walk in great levels of faith, obedience, discernment,

and wisdom. He would also need to have a hearing ear listening carefully to Yahweh's instructions.

Success or failure would depend solely on these things. God gave him a little

pep talk as these roles began. You can find this in the first chapter of Joshua, verses one to nine.

Holy Spirit kept it simple.

I'm now going to give Israel the land I promised, Abraham. You will be the leader. I will give you victory over your enemies. Be strong and courageous. Don't fear. Be very careful to do everything I tell you.

Remember and think always about the instructions I have given you through the writings of Moses.

I'll always be with you. So don't dismay, allowing stress or pressure from these responsibilities to overcome you.

When Yahweh told Joshua not to be dismayed, the Hebrew word used is kathath, which has the meaning of cracking or breaking.

One lexicon said it would be the equivalent today of cracking under stress.

I'm not sure how encouraging it would be to receive an assignment from God, along with the admonition.

Oh, and by the way, don't crack under the stress.

Of course, Holy Spirit wasn't stating it in this manner.

I believe he was, however, warning Joshua

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