Depending on what lies ahead will determine what kind of a good bye I will give my husband.

Deuteronomy 31:1-30

Reference:  v.23  The Lord gave this command to Joshua son of Nun: "Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you." (NIV Bible)

Explore:  Each morning as my husband, Cameron, leaves for work he will give me a kiss good bye and I will say, "Have a good day."  When Cameron goes away for a couple of days to a conference, instead of our standard morning farewell I will give him a hug, wish him safe travels and say that I hope he enjoys the time he'll spend away.  When Cameron and I know we wont see each other for a couple of weeks our farewell hug will be extended, our kiss will be a little more passionate than a peck on the cheek and I will tell Cameron that I love him numerous times.  Depending on what lies ahead will determine what kind of a good bye I will give my husband.  We all have appropriate farewells for different people and in different circumstances.

Application:  As Joshua was handed the leadership of the Israelites, God said to him: "Be strong and courageous."  Did this give Joshua a bit of an idea of what lay ahead for him?  If I farewelled Cameron by saying, 'Have a good day, Honey. Oh and don't forget, be strong and courageous' it would say that I think Cameron needs extra strength to get through the day.  In one sense maybe I should say that to Cameron each day as we never really know what will happen!  But I think that when God said this to Joshua He was already preparing him for what was to come.  Whenever we step up for God we can hear his words to Joshua being said to us, "Be strong and courageous... and I myself will be with you."

Prayer:  Lord, sometimes what lies ahead of us seems insurmountable.  May we go out each day with your strength and courage.  Amen.

As God gave encouragement to Joshua, who do you know that may need your encouragement today?