
“6 Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Moses gave a rousing final speech to God’s people. After their many fears, failures, and disappointments, they are finally ready to enter the promised land. The temptation is always there to still be afraid to do what God has said to do, to fear people, circumstances, environments, etc. While this encouragement was specific to Israel and Joshua, it has excellent application for us today. First is the command to be strong and courageous, not to fear, and to not be in dread of the enemy. What a tall order! What an overwhelming thought amid suffering, timidity, and temptation to run, abandon ship, or lie down in depression.
Similarly, when life seems overwhelming, our Lord commands that we be strong and courageous! While suffering, how can we not be afraid? The Lord did not leave Israel hanging, and He did not leave us either. We do not have some flimsy hope upon which we rest. Reread the verse! For it is the LORD your God who goes with you. Do not take your eyes off God amid your suffering! He is the only way through! And when you are tempted to doubt Him, His Word, or His ways, remind yourself that He promises not to leave or forsake you. Our great God is not only the Creator and Sustainer of everything, but He promises to walk through the fires and storms of life. While you may be tempted to run, to give up, or to doubt God. He will never leave, never quit, and never doubt you (because He is the guarantor of your genuineness). He loves you, provides for you, and will sustain you. Trust Him this morning with your life, no matter your circumstance, because of who He is and what He has said.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
God showed me this about Himself just this morning in a miraculous way that the only explanation is that HE IS GOD!