Good Morning Everyone,
Our theme for this month: “Pushing through adversity”
Our Bible verse for today: “Haven’t I commanded you: be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 (HCSB)
Our thought for today: “Do not fear, because God is with you.”
Joshua had plenty he could have been fearful of. For one thing, he had just been thrust into the most important leadership position that existed in the world in his day – leading the people of God into the Promised Land. And, he was stepping into the shoes of the great Moses. Also, his first task was to lead the people into battle against huge armies with fortified cities, and they were enemies known for their ferocity.
Fortunately Joshua had a rock-solid faith in God and he knew without a doubt that God was directing him to do this thing. Now, here he was receiving a personal assurance from God that he had nothing to fear and that God Himself would be with him wherever he went.
Several times already in this month of devotional messages on the theme of pushing through adversity we have thought about how it is that we need to just lean into the adversity, push through it, and trust God to go with us as He gets us through it. This promise that God gave to Joshua in Joshua 1:9 is equally true for you and should be just as helpful for you as it was for him. Don’t fear, because God is with you – He will be with you wherever you go. Your job in this is to keep moving forward and to keep trusting God.
As we discussed in a previous devotional, and as Proverbs 3:5-6 teaches, to the best of your ability put aside your own preferences and desires, seek only God’s will, and then commit to be obedient to His will. As long as your heart is right you can trust Him to lead you.
And here’s the really good news, “God’s way is always the right way.” Whatever it is He leads you to do will always be the best. Psalm 97:2 reminds us that righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne. What that means is that by His divine nature God could never seek anything other than what is right and good. That means that if His will is being lived out in your life then the decisions and actions He leads you to will also be in alignment with His good and perfect plan. They will be right and just and good.
So don’t fear and don’t doubt. Do your best to seek only His will, and then trust Him to lead you through this.
God Bless,
Pastor Jim
Oak Hill Baptist Church 