May 4

1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spoke unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

2 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, own to the children of Israel.

3 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses

4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hatties, and unto the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your coast

5 There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life, as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

6 Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shall thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them

7 Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest

8 This look of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

9 Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed; for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Three times God exhorted Joshua to "be strong and very courageous." God can do nothing for, or with, a weak or discouraged man; while He can do everything for the man who has the strength and courage of faith.

God does not lay heavy duties upon us without giving us corresponding assurances of strength. So He did with Joshua. "I will be with thee." Then follow particulars: "I will not fail thee." No matter how critical the time, I will not fail. "Nor forsake thee." Whoever else is unfaithful or treacherous, I will never leave thee nor forsake thee so long as thou art in the way of My commandment. And is it not so to-day? Cannot I do all things through Him that strengtheneth me?

"Was He ever foiled or subdued by an enemy? He hath been assaulted, indeed, but was He ever conquered? Can they take the sheep till they have overcome the Shepherd? Why, then, doth my flesh lay open to me the difficulties and urge me so much with the greatness and troubles of the work? Is anything too hard for the omnipotent God? . . . Surely, these serpents' teeth are out; these vipers are easily shaken into the fire; these adders have no stings; these thorns have lost their prickles. As all things below are silly comforters, so are they silly, toothless enemies; bugbears to frighten fools and children, rather than powerful, dreadful foes."—Baxter.

*Closet Promise.—Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's.—2 Chron. xx. 15.

Bear up courageously, my soul;

Shrink not despondingly,

Nor bow to care, nor fear's control;

Christ conquers all for thee.

Though Satan now his hosts combine,

Yield not to gloomy doubt;

Sing! for the victory is thine;

Cry out aloud and shout!

Christ hath overcome thy foes for thee,

He tracheth thee to fight,

He, He alone gives victory,

And clothes thee with His might.

Sing! Sing to God, while all within

To victory's note accords,

Christ will overcome the hosts of sin;

The battle is the Lord's.

—Mrs. Phobe Palmer.