Action—Not Distraction

Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. Joshua 1, verse 7. Welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Our reading, Action Not Distraction, was written and read by Tom Felton. Joshua 1, verses 1 through 9. After the death of Moses, the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide, Moses, my servant, is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them, to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.

Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates, all the Hittite country, to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.

I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you. Do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this book of the law always on your lips. Meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid.

Do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Our Action, Not Distraction A school bus driver passed out at the wheel, and his large vehicle loaded with 60 students was careening out of control. Seventh grader Dylan Reeves burst from his seat, rushed to the front of the bus, and slowly stepped on the brake in the nick of time.

While most students were busy texting or playing games on their phones, Dylan, who didn't have a phone, had his head up and reacted. He knew to depress the brake slowly, as he'd seen the driver do many times. Remaining alert and not distracted helped him save the lives of all on board, including the driver who later revived. Joshua had to step up courageously after his leader Moses was no longer in the driver's seat, leading the people of Israel. God said to him in Joshua 1, Moses, my servant is dead.

Now, get ready. What's more, he instructed, be strong and very courageous. Be careful to not turn from the book of the law to the right or to the left. God was telling Joshua not to get distracted and to keep his focus, and to keep his eyes on the instructions he'd given, meditating on them day and night. We can be distracted by screens and other things that cause us to take our eyes off God and the wisdom found in scripture. Instead, as we remain alert by keeping our eyes on Jesus, we can spring into action when God calls. Let's pray. Dear Jesus, please help us to avoid distractions as we follow you. There are moments ahead, perhaps even today, where we'll need to spring into action as you lead. Thank you for providing what we need. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen. As you go about your day, reflect on these questions. Why is it vital to keep your eyes on Christ? How can you be ready for His call today?