I’ve commanded you to be strong and brave. Don’t ever be afraid or discouraged! I am the Lord your God, and I will be there to help you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9 CEV
The fear meter in the world is going off the charts with the tension in the Middle East. It’s difficult right now not to hear something that causes us to be afraid of how this is going to play out. Could this be leading to WWIII? Is this the beginning of the end? What is going to happen to us? All questions you hear being asked anytime and anywhere. The answer is found in today’s Scripture.
God is saying this to Joshua after Moses has died and he is now the leader of this huge nation of an estimated 2.5 Million people. Although they often complained about and to Moses, he was the only leader they knew. I guess it’s true, you don’t appreciate what you had until it’s gone. For the past thirty days they have been mourning the loss of their leader. Now God has said enough! He literally said to Joshua, ““Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel.” Joshua 1:2.
Now you might be thinking, “well that was a bit insensitive.” but that’s just what Joshua needed to shake him out of his grief for his mentor and friend and so he would hear the rest of what God was going to remind him of next, after giving him the dimensions of the land He was taking them to. Remember although Joshua was one of the spies that was sent into to the land to see it and report back, it was only him and Caleb that gave a good report. And now, he wasn’t just a spy, he was now the leader! But the most important part was that God told him several times He would be with him wherever he went, and He would help him always.
My friends, just like Joshua, we’re going into an unknown future, but God is saying to every Believer the same thing He said to Joshua, do not be afraid or discouraged, for I Am with you, I will help you! I’m sure Joshua had his moments of doubt and fear, but the presence and peace of God was greater than the fear of the enemy. Whatever you may hear or see, instead of becoming fearful, become full of the Truth when, “He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]. What is left to say, God has made it very clear, He is with us and for us, so what do we have to fear? Take this seed and plant it in your mind and heart, so you can face the future just like Johsua did.
Leave a Reply