Be a person of steel and velvet

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “You made it! Now what?”

Our Bible verse for today: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Be a person of steel and velvet”

All this month we are considering ways in which we can improve and grow in 2026. 2025 is over. 2026 is a new year filled with new opportunities for growth and change. In recent days we’ve been thinking about cultivating character traits such as boldness, courage, determination, perseverance, and faithfulness. Yesterday I pointed out that since all those attitudes have a strong element of assertiveness to them, it’s important that the whole package be clothed in grace. Today I want to continue that discussion.

Probably my favorite illustration of the kind of person who exemplifies this balance of assertiveness and gentleness comes from a book written by Dr. Aubrey Andelin many years ago entitled, “Man of Steel and Velvet”. Such a person has an inner core of steel (we’re talking about strong convictions and moral stature that is rock solid and unshakeable), but it’s wrapped in an outer covering of velvet. This is a person who is unmovable in terms of integrity, honesty, and firm moral conviction, but at the same time is kind, gentle, compassionate, and merciful.

In the book Dr. Andelin used Abraham Lincoln as his model of such a man – and I believe that to have been a good choice, but I can think of many others who meet that standard as well. Joshua would be one of those. From everything we read about him in the Bible he was a man or rock-solid integrity, firm convictions, strong faith, great courage, and admirable boldness. But he was also fair, kind, and easily approachable. He had an inner core of steel, but it was wrapped in an outer covering of velvet.

When God commanded Joshua to be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9), I believe He was talking about more than just physical strength and courage. I think that command also applies to moral strength and courage. First, it does involve strength of character and the courage to stand up for what you believe to be right and to weather the storms of adversity for the sake of righteousness and justice. I believe Joshua was that man. This was the inner core of steel.

But then we see the other side of his personality, the outer covering of velvet, when at the end of his life he challenged the nation of Israel to consider the example he had set in his own family. In Joshua 24:15 he challenged the people with the statement, “As for me and my family, we will worship the Lord.”

That right there gives us a glimpse of the other side of Joshua. He was a man of great faith, a man who prayed and who led his family in the ways of the Lord. It shows us a man who obviously loved his wife, children, and grandchildren and was therefore the husband, father, and grandfather they needed him to be.

The concept of steel and velvet applies to all people – men and women alike. It’s an overall approach to life that we can all aspire to and work to cultivate. I encourage you to be strong and courageous but also be kind and merciful – an inner core of steel wrapped in an outer covering of velvet.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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