Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for April 10

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

From: April 10, 2025

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 ESV).

When God called Joshua to lead Israel after Moses, He didn’t give him a strategy manual or a long list of instructions. Instead, He gave him a repeated command: “Be strong and courageous.” God spoke this four times in chapter one—three times positively and once negatively: “Do not be afraid or dismayed.” That last form helps clarify what God meant by strength and courage—it’s not the absence of fear but the refusal to give in to it, while relying on the Lord.

Every time God gave Joshua the command, He gave Him four specific ways to help him obey it:

1. Rely on God’s power (v.5) – God promised, “I will be with you; I will not leave you or forsake you.”
2. Remember God’s promises (v.6) – Joshua was to lead the people into the land God had sworn to give.
3. Reflect on God’s precepts (v.7-8) – Meditating on and obeying God’s Word was key to success.
4. Rest in God’s presence (v.9) – God assured Joshua of His constant presence.

Joshua could be strong and courageous not because of who he was, but because of who God is.

We often face moments that feel overwhelming, uncertain steps, hard conversations, or leadership challenges. God’s Word reminds us that we don’t need to muster up inner strength on our own. We can be strong and courageous because:

– God’s power is greater than our weakness.
– God’s promises are more certain than our doubts.
– God’s precepts give wisdom when we feel lost.
– God’s presence brings peace when we feel alone.

When we meditate on these truths, fear loses its grip. Today, instead of giving in to anxiety or discouragement, let us choose to anchor ourselves in God’s Word and presence.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for calling us to be strong and courageous in You. Help us to rely on Your power instead of our own strength. Remind us daily of Your promises when we feel uncertain. Teach us to love and live by Your Word, and give us peace as we rest in Your faithful presence. Wherever You lead us, help us to walk with courage, knowing You are always with us. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHO CAN KNOW GOD FACE TO FACE?

From: April 10, 2024

“And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10 ESV).

Moses was unique among Israel’s prophets. Who else can compare to the way God used him to accomplish signs and wonders to free his people from Pharoah and to lead his people for forty years in the wilderness? What other prophet gave Israel God’s law and God’s Tabernacle and sacrificial system?

Yet his greatness came from his relationship to the Lord that he knew “face to face.” It was this intimate relationship with God that marked Moses’ ministry. He was a mediator, a go-between for God and Israel. He represented God to the people. And it was to Moses that God revealed a future Mediator that was to come that would be even greater than Moses.

For God told Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him” (Deut. 18:18).

This word from the Lord was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Moses was a Christological type, one whose life pointed to a future fulfillment in Christ. Unlike Moses, who could never really “see” God in all His glory (Read Exodus 33-34), Jesus came from God Himself as God’s only begotten Son. As the apostle John wrote, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:17-18).

Moses gave us God’s law, but even this law was fulfilled in Christ. For what the law couldn’t do, Christ did. As the apostle Paul wrote, “What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Jesus is our Great Mediator. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like Him! Because of Jesus, those who have believed in Him shall one day truly know God face to face (See Rev. 22:3-4).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Jesus. Because of Him we can be made right with You and know You. Because of Jesus we can one day know You face to face. This is wonderful. For You are our God and we worship You. Thank you for Your marvelous grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

WHO WILL BE FOUND IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

From: April 10, 2023

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28-29 NLT).

As Jesus was teaching in the towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem, someone asked Him how many would be saved. His answer must have been surprising to His Jewish hearers. For most of them thought that just being Jewish was enough. They were children of Abraham. They were circumcised on the eighth day. They went to the Temple for Jewish festivals. They were God’s chosen people. Surely, if anyone would enter the Kingdom, it would be them. But Jesus warned that many would knock at the door of the Kingdom, yet not be allowed entrance because the Lord would reply, “I don’t know you.”

Jesus named three individuals specifically that would definitely be found in the Kingdom–– Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This would not have surprised His Jewish audience. Of course they would be included. Then He said all the prophets would be there. “OK, that makes sense.” They must’ve thought, although there were quite a few that they didn’t listen to in that group. But finally, Jesus said that people from “all over the world” would be represented in the Kingdom. That was a big surprise!

“You mean people from Ninevah and Babylon?” They must have wondered. “Philistines and Moabites too?” They must have questioned. “Why in the world would you let them in and keep us out?” They must have asked.

Jesus had already given them the answer. They had to “know” Him and be known by Him. Being born Jewish was not enough. “You must be born again!” He told Nicodemus (John 3:7). Only those who have been born again of the Spirit will be found in the Kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for Jesus, through whom we have been born again and adopted into Your family. We are citizens of Your Kingdom forever by Your grace through faith in Jesus. Strengthen us to live as Your ambassadors in this world today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And she sent them on their way, leaving the scarlet rope hanging from the window” (Joshua 2:21 NLT).

From: April 10, 2022

THE SCARLET ROPE

Rahab, the Jericho harlot, hid the Israelite spies whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter the city. After making an amazing confession of faith in the Lord, she made a deal with the spies that she would hide them in return for protecting her family when the Lord gave the city over to Israel. The spies agreed. They told her to leave a “scarlet rope hanging in the window” of her house to identify it and to keep everyone inside the house, otherwise they would not be responsible for them.

The scarlet rope reminds me of the blood of the lamb that was applied to the doors of the Israelites’ homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death would “pass over” them. It also reminds me of the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, which must be applied by faith for salvation.

Rahab’s family was spared when Israel destroyed Jericho. Those inside the house with the scarlet rope were saved. Rahab and her family became part of God’s people. So that, even Rahab the harlot became one of the mothers listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ Jesus (Matt. 1:5).

The scarlet rope also reminds me of the Lord’s invitation to cleanse His people of their sins: “Come now, let’s settle this. Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool” (Isa. 1:18).

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Christ has become our Passover Lamb and His blood has been applied to all who believe. We gladly display what Christ has done for us in our lives, so that the whole world may know. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“No prophet has arisen again in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10 HCSB).

From: April 10, 2021

WHO CAN KNOW GOD FACE TO FACE?

Moses was unique among Israel’s prophets. Who else can compare to the way God used him to accomplish signs and wonders to free his people from Pharoah and to lead his people for forty years in the wilderness. What other prophet gave Israel God’s law and God’s Tabernacle and sacrificial system?

Yet here his greatness was supported by his relationship to the Lord, that he knew God “face to face.” It was this intimate relationship with God that marked Moses’ ministry. He was a mediator, a go-between for God and Israel. He represented God to the people. And it was to Moses that God revealed a future Mediator that was to come that would be even greater than Moses.

God told Moses, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers. I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him” (Deut. 18:18).

This word from the Lord was fulfilled in Christ Jesus. Moses was a Christological type, one whose life pointed to a future fulfillment in Christ. Unlike Moses, who could never really “see” God in all His glory (Read Exodus 33-34), Jesus came from God Himself as God’s only begotten Son. As the apostle John wrote, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:17-18).

Moses gave us God’s law, but even this law was fulfilled in Christ. For what the law couldn’t do, Christ did. As the apostle Paul wrote, “What the law could not do since it was limited by the flesh, God did. He condemned sin in the flesh by sending His own Son in flesh like ours under sin’s domain, and as a sin offering, in order that the law’s requirement would be accomplished in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Rom. 8:3-4).

Jesus is our Great Mediator. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like Him! Because of Jesus, those who have believed in Him shall one day truly see God face to face (See Rev. 22:3-4).

PRAYER: Dear Father, we thank You for Jesus. Because of Him we can be made right with You and know You. Because of Jesus we can one day see You face to face. This is wonderful. For You are our God and we worship You. Thank you for Your marvelous grace. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21 NKJV).

From: April 10, 2020

HAVE YOU BOUND A SCARLET CORD IN YOUR WINDOW?

Rahab, the Jericho harlot, hid the Israelite spies whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter the city. After making an amazing confession of faith in the Lord, she made a deal with the spies that she would hide them in return for protecting her family when the Lord gave the city over to Israel. The spies agreed. They told her to hang a “scarlet cord in the window” of her house to identify it and to keep everyone inside the house, otherwise they would not be responsible for them.

The “scarlet cord” reminds me of the blood of the lamb that was applied to the doors of the Israelites’ homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death would pass over them. It also reminds me of the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, which was shed, so that those who trust in Him might live.

Rahab’s family was spared when Israel destroyed Jericho. Those inside the house with the “scarlet cord in the window” were saved. Rahab and her family became part of God’s people. So that, even Rahab was listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Matt. 1:5).

Do you have a “scarlet cord” hanging from your heart’s window?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You that Christ has become our Passover Lamb and His blood has been applied to all who believe. We gladly display what Christ has done for us in our windows so that the whole world may know. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, for you will see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, but you will be thrown out. And people will come from all over the world—from east and west, north and south—to take their places in the Kingdom of God” (Luke 13:28-29 NLT).

From: April 10, 2018

WILL YOU BE FOUND IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD?

As Jesus was teaching in the towns and villages on His way to Jerusalem, someone asked Him how many would be saved. His answer must have been surprising to His Jewish hearers. For most of them thought that just being Jewish was enough. They were children of Abraham. They were circumcised on the eighth day. They went to the Temple for Jewish festivals. They were God’s chosen people. Surely, if anyone would enter the Kingdom, it would be them. But Jesus warned that many would knock at the door of the Kingdom, yet not be allowed entrance because the Lord would reply, “I don’t know you.”

Jesus named three individuals specifically that would definitely be found in the Kingdom–– Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This would not have surprised His Jewish audience. Of course they would be included. Then He said all the prophets would be there. “OK, that makes sense.” They must’ve thought, although there were quite a few that they didn’t listen to in that group. But finally, Jesus said that people from “all over the world” would be represented in the Kingdom. That was a big surprise!

“You mean people from Ninevah and Babylon?” They must have wondered. “Philistines and Moabites too?” They must have questioned. “Why in the world would you let them in and keep us out?” They must have asked.

Jesus had already given them the answer. They had to “know” Him and be known by Him. Being born Jewish was not enough. “You must be born again!” He told Nicodemus (John 3:7). Only those who have been born again of the Spirit will be found in the Kingdom of God.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NKJV).

From: April 10, 2017

The Lord commanded Joshua four times to be strong and courageous. Three times He told him in the positive (verses 6, 7 and 9), “Be strong and of good courage.” And one time in the negative, “Do not be afraid, nor dismayed” (v.9). The negative version of the command helped to reinforce and define the positive version. Each time the Lord repeated the command, He gave another supporting way for how to keep it. Here are the four supporting ways that the Lord gave Joshua to be strong and of good courage:

1) Rely on God’s power.

2) Remember God’s promises.

3) Reflect on God’s precepts.

4) Rest in God’s presence.

Carefully read through Joshua 1:1-9 and see if you can discover the same four supporting ways to be strong and courageous in the Lord.

“And she sent them away, and they departed. And she bound the scarlet cord in the window” (Joshua 2:21 NKJV)

From: April 10, 2015

Rahab, the Jericho harlot, hid the Israelite spies whom Joshua had sent to reconnoiter the city. After making an amazing confession of faith in the Lord, she made a deal with the spies that she would hide them in return for protecting her family when the Lord gave the city over to Israel. The spies agreed. They told her to hang a “scarlet cord in the window” of her house to identify it and to keep everyone inside the house, otherwise they would not be responsible for them.
The “scarlet cord” reminds me of the blood of the lamb that was applied to the doors of the Israelites’ homes in Egypt, so that the angel of death would pass over them. It also reminds me of the blood of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, which was shed, so that those who trust in Him might live.
Rahab’s family was spared when Israel destroyed Jericho. Those inside the house with the “scarlet cord in the window” were saved. Rahab and her family became part of God’s people. So that, even Rahab was listed in Matthew’s genealogy of Christ (Matt. 1:5).
Do you have a “scarlet cord” hanging from your window?

“There has never been another prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face” (Deuteronomy 34:10 NLT)

From: April 10, 2014

Many attributes of Moses’ ministry could have been mentioned here that made his prophetic office unique. Challenging Pharaoh, leading Israel out of Egyptian slavery, shepherding them in the wilderness, giving them the laws of God… any one of these would make him one of the greatest prophets in Israel. Yet, here it is supported by the fact that the Lord knew him “face to face.” It was this intimate relationship with God that marked Moses’ ministry. He was a mediator, a go-between for God and Israel. In this, Moses was a Christological type, one whose life pointed to a future fulfillment in Christ Jesus. Unlike Moses, who could never really “see” God in all His glory (Read Exodus 33-34), Jesus came from God Himself. As John wrote: “No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). Jesus is our Great Mediator. There never has been, nor will there ever be another like Him!