Day Four: In God's Hope we live courageously (Joshua 1:9)

(Henry Ossawa Tanner: Annunciation)

Day Four: In God's Hope we live courageously

Joshua 1:9 "I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous ... Be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law ... Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”...

Psalm 31:24 "Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD."

Each day brings its challenges and its questions. Today was a day like that; I expect tomorrow will be also. Throughout Scripture we see God's promises and among the most Hope filled promises God makes to us are those that promise He is present and active in us - that He will never leave or forsake us. As Christ followers we must humbly submit every aspect of our lives to God's restorative work - that can be frightening! Yet we know God loves us - He wants to renovate who we are; to re-create each of us as He intended us to be - a people of His Joy. The rot of sin has no place in God's people. How does God do this renovation? He has already done the work but He invites us to participate and do very specific things. He asked Joshua to take the land promised Israel. He asked Mary to bear a child.Through the tasks in our lives God teaches us who we are (each of us is His beloved child) and who He is. Through these works God shows us our separation from Him. Through this toil God draws us to Himself, He builds our faith and He refines us. Through these labours God brings us to new life with Him. So, do we shy away from these life experiences? Do we excuse ourselves? God asks us to courageously embrace each moment of life; to trust Him as we step into each movement of life. If we do He promises we will come to know more intimately the Christ of Christmas.

Luke 1:26-38 "In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph ... “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus... And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” ... Courageous Hope!