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Carpe Diem

"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.”¹

Have you ever noticed that, "Opportunity comes to pass—not to pause?"

When God told Joshua and the ancient Israelites that he had given them the Promised Land, he certainly didn't hand it to them on a silver platter. To claim God's promise, they had to battle every inch of the way. They still had to go, conquer, and possess it.

The reality is, however, that had God not given it to them, they never would have been able to conquer and possess it. And might I add, they wouldn't still be there today!

God has a work for you and me to do too. He will give us the opportunities every day to serve him, but it's up to us to take advantage of these as they come to pass—not to pause! True, God feeds the sparrows, but he doesn't throw the food into their nests. They have to go out and get it. Whatever God has for us to do, he doesn't do it for us. He will guide us. He will direct us. He will give us wisdom, but he won't do it for us. We, too, have to arise, go, and possess the opportunities and promises God has for us.

With God's help, let us carpe diem, "seize the day," to take advantage of every opportunity God gives to us, and claim every promise He has for us.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to be ready and willing to "seize" every opportunity You give to me to serve You, trust in You to help me to do it, and to claim every promise You have for me. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus's name. Amen."

1. God to Joshua in Joshua 1:2-3 (NIV).

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