Mini Bible Study of Joshua 1:9

How did I miss this before?! Joshua 1:6-9 tells us exactly HOW God expects us to become strong and courageous. And it's do-able!

July 13

~ Today’s Scripture Art and mini Bible study of Joshua 1:9 will reveal the secret to becoming strong and courageous. And it’s do-able! ~

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I heard a quote the other day that I had not heard before – the kind that rolls around in your brain for days. Please tell me I’m not the only one who does that.

Check it out for yourself …

“Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible. Our spirits sink for want of the heavenly food stored up in the inspired Volume.” -Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon Quote - the secret to becoming strong and courageous

See? Will that roll around in your head for days? You’re welcome.

When I heard that quote, I had already chosen the verse to hand-letter for today. It was one of those kill-two-birds-with-one-stone kind of things. (Who came up with that line anyway? I don’t want to kill any birds – much less two.)

Anyway, my point is: not only did this verse fit in with my promised Cuba mission trip report, but it also is perfect for our ongoing Fear Verse Project.

Then I heard that quote and – smack my forehead – a third bird!

Allow me to explain.

My roommate in Cuba was the absolute best! We had been acquaintances for years, but this was the first time we had spent quality time together. And believe me, a mission trip is quality time. Especially when you can’t sleep – so you might as well talk! I so enjoyed getting to know her better and Joshua 1:9 is her favorite verse!

I’m sure you’ll agree – that verse was the perfect verse to “take” on her first mission trip and my second.

And it screamed, “hand-letter me” since it fit snugly into our Fear Verse Project. Which I did.

Then I started studying the verse.

Surprise, surprise, this verse is better understood if read in the context of the verses around it.

Mini Bible Study of Joshua 1:9

The verse is pretty straightforward. It tells the who, what, where and even the why, but if you want the sought-after how and the when, then you need to read the verses before it.

Joshua 1:6-9: Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 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.”

So how can we become strong and courageous?

Exactly!

Half our fears arise from neglect of the Bible.

Now that is a practical application I can do!

Meditate on The Book day and night.

My roommate-of-the-year and I both had our share of fears before we went to Cuba – everything from sharing our testimony in front of a crowd with an interpreter to bugs to sickness to cold showers to armed guards. And the all-important – would I be able to use my blow dryer?! Good news – my Dollar Store headbands went unused!

Better news – God gave us strength and courage. He carried us.

And you know what? We were immersed in His Word the whole time.

Coincidence? I think not.

Now for Part 2 of my Cuba Mission Trip Report. Click here to read Part 1.

We flew into Havana and then drove 2 hours to the Retreat Camp.

The beaches that we saw were rocky. I’m sure there were some prettier beaches, but we didn’t see them.

Our bedroom! Notice the windows with no glass or screens – and all the space in between those shutters. Can you see the little tiny spiders crawling the walls?

I took this picture because I liked that upside down Christmas tree! But it also captured the water tower that supplied the water we couldn’t drink.

They were adding on to the Retreat Building. I was fascinated with their building technique.

They eat beans and rice for lunch and rice and beans for dinner – every single day. No stress of meal planning!

Dominoes is a favorite past time. And it’s very competitive!

This was a leadership team meeting in the cafeteria. This Retreat Camp runs a different retreat almost every week of the year.

Here I am giving my testimony with our interpreter, who was so much fun!

Their worship music was very much like ours. We even recognized a couple of tunes – like Amazing Grace!

Cuba Christian Retreat - Small Group — We led small group discussions after each Bible study session. These wonderful people were so open and so hungry for the Lord. I will never forget them!

Since most people in Cuba don’t own cars, they start out walking, then hitch a ride with whatever vehicle happens by.

We saw several of these type trucks with loads of people standing in the back.

Lots of old restored cars in Cuba! We were told that most of them were taxis.

We had a couple of hours to drive around Havana before we had to be at the airport. This is a fancy hotel.

The mission trip to Cuba was amazing. It helped build my faith in so many ways. I am grateful that the Lord entrusted me to go – and that He carried me the whole way. I am forever changed.