2 Minutes of Hope March 8, 2021
“This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." - Joshua 1:9 NLT
Have you ever looked at the road ahead of you and instantly felt like you can’t possibly get to the other side?
I know I have so many times. Especially going into this year. There are still so many unknowns and everything is constantly changing. Even trying to make plans to do something only a month or two away still seems lofty and uncertain.
Looking to the book of Joshua, I couldn’t help but see myself through the lens of this leader who was going into an unknown land filled with unknown enemies and certain conflict. Feeling overwhelmed and uncertain, just like Joshua, I know that I cannot do this on my own. But I also know that it’s in these moments of unknowing where we need God’s Word as the most.
Dancing around in these feelings of uncertainty, I was reminded of the words God spoke to Joshua before he took the Israelites into the Promise Land. He says, “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Every time I read this passage, these words are like an instant pick-me-up for my soul. Like a shot of espresso running through my veins. I am suddenly infused with the unchanging truth of God’s Word.
And then I noticed the wording of this verse in particular…God is not only suggesting or encouraging us to be strong and courageous, He is commanding it. How awesome is it that God gives us a law to be strong and courageous? That, in itself, is enough encouragement to live by.
And He doesn’t stop there. In this verse, we are called to enact and walk out four different commandments to: Be Strong, Be Courageous, Do Not Be Afraid and Do Not Be Discouraged. Why? Not only because God’s word commands it, but also because, “the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
As you walk into the unknown, take heart in knowing that you are not alone. God is with you and He has prepared you. Whatever is ahead, He has already seen the end from the beginning. Whatever seems too much, He is more than enough. Place your strength, your hope and your courage in Him today and know that He has already placed inside of you all that you need to conquer all that He has called you to do.
Let's Pray...
Heavenly Father, thank you so much for promising to be with us wherever we go. Thank you for commanding us to be strong and courageous. Thank you for commanding us to not be discourage or afraid. Thank you for this unchanging commandment of hope.
Please go before us and prepare the way for us as we walk into a new week. Let not our hearts be troubled in the unknown. Let not our hope waver in the winds of change. Keep our feet fitted with the Gospel of Peace as we walk firmly and confidently towards the purpose and plans you have so delicately prepared for us. Infuse our minds, our bodies and our hearts with strength and courage as we step forward unafraid for You are the One who Reigns above it all. In Jesus name, Amen.