“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.”
When we’re feeling so discouraged, frightened and dismayed is saying the least, this verse can feel like more expectations we can’t possibly live up to. But there’s a difference between God and Man. When the Lord commands someone to do the impossible, a miracle bringing his word to pass usually accompanies the person’s faithful obedience.
Not surprising, then, that the context of this verse is both another promise he will never leave us nor forsake us, and a command to be faithful to the teachings of the Bible, meditating on it day and night, and being faithful to follow it. That was the secret to Joshua’s prospering in and succeeding in his mission from God. Staying true to the Lord, loving him and others as he first loved us (as this is the fulfillment of the law), and trusting him to be with us wherever we go is the bible’s secret recipe to the strength and courage we need to face the day and complete the work he gives us.
Lord, forgive us for holding back from you. Forgive us when we go our own way. We choose this day to put our trust in you. Cleanse us of evil desires, give us the will to walk in your ways. May we love you and each other with our whole hearts and be obedient to your voice. May we discern rightly the spirits. Be strong on our behalf, strengthen us, for we are weak. Take all our fear, all our shame, our discouragement, and disappointments today and grant us in their place courage and confidence that you are with us wherever we go. In Jesus’ name we pray, Lord, amen.