0:00 Your heart will beat about one hundred thousand times today.0:05 In our last episode, we talked about embracing each of today's one thousand, four hundred and forty minutes.0:15 Today, we're looking at the kind of strength needed to live those minutes well.0:22 Here is the reading for today.0:25 It comes from the book of Joshua, chapter one, verse nine.0:30 "Have I not commanded you?0:32 Be strong and courageous.0:34 Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Let’s sit with that for a moment.0:46 The first thing to notice is that it starts with a question.0:52 "Have I not commanded you?" This isn't a suggestion.0:56 It's not a piece of friendly advice.1:00 It’s a command, spoken from a place of absolute authority.1:05 And here’s the thing about a command from God: it always comes with the ability to carry it out.1:14 He isn't asking you to do something impossible.1:18 He's telling you what is now possible because He is involved.1:23 The command itself is twofold: "Be strong and courageous." It's important to see that this is a call to action, not a call to a certain feeling.1:36 It doesn't say feel strong.1:39 It doesn't say feel courageous.1:42 It says be them.1:43 Strength and courage, in this context, are choices.1:48 They are postures you decide to take, regardless of how you feel inside.1:54 Courage is the choice to take a step forward even when your knees are knocking.2:01 Strength is the choice to carry the next burden, even when you feel tired.2:08 So here's what that means for you as you look at the day ahead.2:14 If you have a difficult conversation on your calendar, the command is to act with courage.2:22 It's not a command to somehow magically stop feeling nervous about it.2:28 If you're looking at a project or a to-do list that feels completely overwhelming, the command is to be strong for the very next step.2:40 Not for the whole journey at once.2:43 Just the next one.2:45 Then the verse gives a negative command.2:48 "Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." This addresses the two great enemies of any meaningful work.2:58 Fear looks at the future and sees all the things that could go wrong.3:04 Discouragement looks at the past and sees all the failures and setbacks.3:11 The command is to actively refuse to give your energy to either one.3:17 But how?3:17 How can you just decide not to be afraid or discouraged?3:22 The verse gives us the answer.3:25 It’s the most important part.3:28 It says, "for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." That little word, "for," is the hinge that the entire command swings on.3:40 It means "because." You can be strong and courageous because God is with you.3:47 You can refuse fear and discouragement because God is with you.3:53 This changes everything.3:55 It means the strength you need for today is not something you have to dig for deep inside yourself.4:04 The courage you need for that meeting isn't something you have to manufacture.4:11 It all flows from a single, unshakable reality: God's presence.4:17 Here's what that means if you woke up this morning feeling completely spent.4:24 Your strength doesn't come from your own reserves.4:28 It comes from the simple, bedrock fact that God is with you.4:34 Right now.4:35 As you're listening to this.4:37 He is with you in the car on your commute.4:41 He is with you at the kitchen table.4:44 He is with you in the quiet of your office before the day truly begins.4:51 The source of your strength is not internal.4:54 It's relational.4:56 It’s His presence.4:58 So the temptation today will be to check how you feel.5:02 Do I feel strong?5:04 Do I feel brave enough for this?5:07 That's the wrong question.5:09 The verse invites a much better one: Is God with me?5:14 And the promise is that the answer is always yes.5:18 Your feeling of weakness does not cancel out the reality of His presence.5:25 And His presence is where your strength is found.5:29 Step into this day, not by trusting in your own courage, but by leaning completely on His.
