Taking RisksSample

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS

When God told Joshua to “be strong and courageous,” He was giving him more than a pep talk. Like every other time God speaks a word of encouragement, it’s coupled to something tangible and actionable. Strength and courage in the face of fear and risk are not found in a rallying cry. They’re found in something much more powerful. Read Joshua 1:1-9 again with an eye for what lies within God’s calling to Joshua.

God’s call to strength and courage was built on the hope that Joshua would live by the book. God knew this: if Joshua lived by the playbook, penned by God through humans, he would have prosperity and success. There was nothing to fear. Joshua was taking a reasonable risk because God had a plan, and all Joshua had to do was follow it.

If you listen closely, you can hear God’s voice cheering you on. But the cheering isn’t half-baked or based on nothing. God invites us to take risks while we hold tightly to His promises and the truth that makes those promises possible. It’s the Word of God that enables us to navigate risky situations and come out the other end with victory.

All risk-taking must never let go of what God is saying. Risk-takers are Bible readers. Risk-takers are truth talkers. Risk-takers revere God’s Word more than flying by the seat of their pants or walking in their wisdom. So, take what you believe God is calling you to do and hold it up to the promises of Scripture. It’s time to take a risk.

HOW TO TAKE THAT RISK:

• Agree with God that His Word will be a central part of your life. More than a token nod to God, you’ll be a person of the Word.
• Embrace the benefit of a local church to help you live out God’s Word in your life.
• When you fail to take the time to hear God’s voice and counsel, get back up and dig into God’s Word again.
• With God’s Word hidden in your heart, be strong and courageous as you step out and take risks.

This study is adapted from the book, The 7 Resolutions: Where Self-Help Ends and God’s Power Begins by Karl Clauson. You can believe God to use you significantly or you can settle for self-focused mediocrity. But you can’t do both. Take The 7 Resolutions assessment and find out where your next step will take you. https://www.7resolutions.com/assessment