Tuesday, March 5th, 2019

The world is so interconnected these days through the internet, social media, and 24-hour news stations that staying focused on the Lord each day is becoming more and more difficult. To be focused on the Lord is not to shut yourself off from the world, but it is to be unchanged by the pressures of it. Remaining steadfast in faith is one of the greatest challenges in life that we all will face, for we all will have highs and lows as well as seasons of plenty and seasons of little. The great leader of the Israelites, Joshua, in his farewell address beckoned God’s people to remain steadfast in their faith no matter what the world brings to their door. He said, “Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.” In times of trouble, we have a tendency to allow things of the world become “gods” in our lives – drugs, alcohol, reckless spending, or others. They begin to rule over our lives because we have elevated their importance over that of God. Today, if your faith is being challenged, hold fast to God. He is your greatest ally and most powerful deliverance in whatever season you are enduring.

“Do not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now.” – Joshua 23:7-8 NIV