July 4, 2019
Are You Afraid or Discouraged?
Gwen Smith
Today’s Truth
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. (Joshua 8:1)
Friend to Friend
We see a vibrant example of courage and obedience in the book and life of Joshua. He served humbly and faithfully in the shadow of Moses until the Lord took Moses home and chose Joshua to be the next leader His people.
I’d be shaking in my size 10 shoes if I had to fill the sandals of Moses! I’m sure that in his humanness Joshua was intimidated too, but he was well trained because he had served under Moses for 40 years.
I mean – he wasn’t exactly a spring chicken when God gave him His incredible I-made-you-for-greatness and I’ve-got-your-back motivational talk. Have you ever thought of that?
“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”(Joshua 1:5-9)
How cool is that?
Even though Joshua was well along in years when this Biblical conversation took place, approximately 80 years old, God gave him a new job. Can you even imagine? God called him up to bigger responsibilities because Joshua had been faithful with smaller responsibilities. And the Bible shows us that when God gave instructions Joshua obeyed.
He moved forward and followed as the Lord led.
I’m sure it helped that God encouraged him over and over again with, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Joshua 8:1)
Just like God wanted Joshua to trust Him with each new assignment, He wants us to trust and follow Him too – no matter our age. When He calls us to new things, we can be strong and courageous because God doesn’t expect us to do it alone. We have access to lean on His unending strength instead of our limited abilities.
When I feel like I’m in over my head I don’t need to shake in my shoes. And you don’t either. When God tell us to go – to move on to the next thing – to trust Him in a new adventure – we need to go!
Move forward and follow as the Lord leads.
Are you afraid or discouraged?
God will provide everything you need when you follow Him.
After all, when you follow God, you get in step behind the faithful Protector, Provider, Defender and Guide who will never leave or forsake you.
Let’s Pray
Dear Lord, Thank You for having a purpose for every day You allow me to live. Help me to embrace what lies ahead, follow Your lead and trust You to provide everything I need.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Isaiah 41:10. What two things does the Lord instruct us NOT to do in this verse? What four reasons does He give to explain why we shouldn’t do those two things? Why should this matter to you? What is one way you can apply this to your life today? Write a prayer response in your journal or swing over to my blog and write one in the comments section.
More from the Girlfriends
These studies will help you know what God says about tender topics like forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, relationships and hope. Each inductive study can be done in the comfort of your home and in a timeframe that fits with your personal schedule. Visit www.GwenSmith.net/BibleStudy to learn more.
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Originally published Thursday, 04 July 2019.
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