‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go’ (Joshua 1:9).
By Robin Sam
I quite like the way the first chapter of Joshua begins. God broke the news about Moses’ death to Joshua, the prophet’s understudy, along with a direction about what to do next and a promise.
Joshua need not fear. He needs to be courageous and not be overwhelmed by the enormity of the task before him because ‘the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.’ What a wonderful promise.
Dear brethren, have you taken up any new tasks at your workplace lately? Are you managing your home alone with help from no one? Are there tasks in your life that elders in your family have left unfinished? Do not fear! Be strong and of good courage. The Lord your God is going before you. ‘The one who breaks open will come up before them; they will break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it; their king will pass before them, with the Lord at their head’ (Micah 2:13).
God is the source of power and strength. Lean on Him. Ask Him for directions. Ask Him for wisdom. Ask Him for light in your path. And, whenever a sense of self sufficiency creeps into you, immediately ask God for His grace to continue to trust in His Word and claim His promises.
‘Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing’ (Zephaniah 3:16-17). Amen.
Robin Sam is a preacher, Bible teacher and missions worker. He works in Messenger Missions, a Gospel proclaiming ministry and edits The Christian Messenger magazines in English and Tamil.
