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A Year in the Word · 3 min READ

Courage with an open Bible

“This book 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.”Joshua 1:8 · KJV

Read in your Bible: Joshua 1–3.

Joshua receives a daunting responsibility after Moses' death. God's charge to be courageous is joined to careful attention to the law, while Rahab's protection of the spies introduces an unexpected participant in Israel's story. The Jordan crossing lies ahead.

Biblical courage is not confidence that every personal ambition has divine backing. Joshua's commission is specific, and its enduring challenge is faithful dependence on God's instruction. Rahab's presence also unsettles assumptions about who can respond to the God of Israel.

Bring an intimidating duty before God and identify what faithfulness requires. Read before reacting, prepare responsibly and take the next clear step. Leave room to learn from someone whose background differs from your own.

READ DEEPER · ELLEN G. WHITE

Related reading and source notes.

Read the Bible passage first. These notes identify related Ellen G. White chapters; a related reading is not a claim that she wrote this interpretation. Any direct quotations are marked separately. The explanations and applications are The Earl Project’s own.

1Patriarchs and Prophets · Chapter 44—Crossing the JordanPP, chapter 44

White's chapter on the crossing of the Jordan provides related background for Joshua's commission and Israel's entrance into Canaan.

Read alongside: Joshua 1–3

Read the original chapter on EGW Writings ↗

A question to sit with

Is the courage I seek aimed at obedience or at proving myself?

AN EVERYDAY ACT OF LOVE

Read a relevant passage before making one difficult decision and write down the next faithful step.

Let us pray

Lord, give me courage shaped by Your word rather than my ambition. Help me prepare responsibly, act faithfully and recognise Your work in people I might otherwise overlook. Amen.

Your quiet reflection

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An original interpretation from The Earl Project, written from an Adventist understanding of Scripture. It is not an official church publication. Read alongside the beliefs that inform these reflections. Scripture quoted from the King James Version. Ellen G. White sources are cited separately from The Earl Project’s original interpretation.

THE EARL PROJECT · A QUIET MOMENT