Faith — The Detour - Tuesday
TODAY’S VERSE
Joshua 1:9
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. (ESV)
God has used this one verse in the book of Joshua many times to bring encouragement, hope, and to renew my focus on the things He has called me to do. In fact, this Old Testament book has been so impactful, my wife and I made it our son’s middle name. And to be clear, it’s not because strength and courage come naturally to me. In fact, it’s the opposite. More times than I’d like to admit, fear and insecurity have gotten the best of me.
Lydia taught us this Sunday that when we face trials and challenges, we have the choice between fear and faith. We saw in Genesis 12 that Abram chose fear when he was faced with famine in the land that God had promised him. Interestingly enough, in this passage from Joshua, God has just appointed Joshua to lead his people into (you guessed it) the Promised Land. One of my favorite things about God’s words to Joshua is that He didn’t say, “It won’t be scary” or “You won’t face anyone that pushes back against you.” He doesn’t tell him, “Believe in yourself!” Instead, God reminds Joshua that He is with him and will be every step of the way.
Fear makes us think all about us. What we lack. Why we can’t. What we’ll lose. Faith looks at who God is, and what He can do. There may be a river in the way, but God is the one who created water and can tell it when to flow and when not to. There may be a city with large walls around it, but God is the one who created the stones and can make them tumble to the ground.
Many years later, Jesus would accomplish the most impossible task when He sacrificed His life on the cross, was buried, and then came back to life, defeating death! The Bible tells us that God gives us His Spirit to live in us when we surrender our lives to Jesus. That means the same God that was with Joshua is with you! The more I’ve gotten to know Jesus and have grown to trust Him, the more I’ve been able to choose faith instead of fear. Not perfectly, but with His help, moving in that direction.
APPLICATION
Next time you are at a crossroads of fear and faith, spend some time worshiping Jesus. Remind yourself of who He is and what He’s done. The fear might not go away, but you can move forward knowing the One who will be with you all the way through it.
PRAYER
Father, when fear comes knocking on the door, remind me of Your strength and Your love for me. Help me take the next step, knowing my trust is in You, and that You are with me.