Well now, before you decide that this here piece is not for you, let me tell you a little something from the good old Book of Joshua. It’s a message as old as time, but as relevant today as the morning paper. Joshua 1:9 says: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Now, if that doesn’t light a fire under your easy chair, I don’t know what will.
Imagine, if you will, a young man named Joshua standing atop a hill overlooking the Promised Land. It’s a land flowing with milk and honey, but boy, it’s also filled with challenges and enemies as fierce as a pack of hungry wolves. Yet, there Joshua stands, with the weight of leadership on his shoulders, ready to shepherd the children of Israel into this new territory. God Himself gives him a direct pep talk: ‘Be strong and courageous.’
I know there’s a Joshua in each one of us. Now, don’t chuckle just yet. We may not be leading armies or crossing rivers, but each day we face battles of our own. Maybe your battle is getting out of bed with a bad back, dealing with the endless litany of news that gets your blood pressure up, or simply trying to keep faith in a world that’s spinning faster than a tilt-a-whirl at the state fair. Wherever you are, whatever you’re doing, God’s message today is the same as it was back then: ‘Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’
Let me take you back a few years. I recall a time when I was facing the prospect of retirement. I’ll be honest with you; it scared the daylights outta me. The idea of leaving the workforce, of becoming a so-called ‘retiree’, well that was a tough pill to swallow. I found myself asking, “What’s next? What purpose do I serve now?” Friends, it was then that the Lord’s words to Joshua rang true in my heart. ‘Be strong and courageous.’ With my faithful companion and wife by my side, and my trust placed firmly in God, I embraced a new chapter. And let me tell you, it turned out to be a chapter filled with blessings I couldn’t have imagined.
The Moral of the Message
What did we learn from Joshua’s steadfast courage and my own humble journey? It’s simple, really. No matter where you are in life, whether you’re a decorated veteran remembering the days of old or a grandmother praying for her grandkids’ future, the Lord God is with you every step of the way. He didn’t bring you this far to abandon you now. Take heart in that; let it be the wind beneath your wings.
Friends, our beloved country and our personal lives may be filled with uncertainties. Old values may seem like they’re fading into history, and newer isn’t always better. Just remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s moving forward in spite of it. And in those moments when your knees knock and your spirit feels faint, remember that our Father is walking right beside you, offering you strength that is not your own.
A Prayer for Courage
Before we part ways, let us bow our heads in prayer. Almighty Father, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude and spirits yearning for Your strength. Just as You commanded Joshua, help us be strong and courageous in our everyday lives. Remind us that You are with us wherever we go, guiding us, protecting us, and loving us unconditionally. When we are faced with challenges, fill our hearts with Your peace and give us the courage to face them with unwavering faith. In Jesus’ mighty name, we pray. Amen.
So there you have it, friends. Maybe this little stroll through Joshua’s shoes gave you a different perspective, and gosh darn it if you didn’t find a little nugget of truth to carry with you. As you step into your day, remember God’s promise to be with you always. And don’t make the mistake of doubting your purpose. Dig in your heels and embrace that God-given courage. Until next time, stay strong in faith and anchored in the Lord.
