“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31: 6)
My wife, Miriam, doesn’t care much for animals in her house. She doesn't like the hair all over or the occasional "wet dog smell" you have to live with from time to time. We owned two dogs during our first 15 years of marriage but not since. One day, ten years after we were dog-free, her good friend said that she had an appointment to take her son’s dog to the vet but she had another conflict and could not do it. Miriam volunteered for the job! The dog’s name was Duchess and she was a cute little terrier mix.
Miriam arrived at the vet and immediately entered a waiting room in total chaos. Dogs were barking, cats were cowering, and an occasional animal would poop or pee on the floor requiring their owners to clean up the mess. Duchess cowered under Miriam’s chair and shook violently with fear of the other animals and the vet too! Miriam said she felt a little bit proud because “her” dog was not causing any trouble. She was a good, well-behaved dog, not like these other animals! She says she was really feeling like she was so blessed to have such a trouble-free dog and was glad Duchess was behaving so much better than the others!
When they finally called Miriam and Duchess to see the vet, she took Duchess by the lease and dragged her into the exam room. Immediately after entering the exam room Duchess decided to poop on the floor. The doctor then instructed Miriam to pick up the dog and put her on the table and to then clean up the mess. Suddenly Miriam panicked and she was overcome with fear. She had not been prepared for this and immediately froze and backed up against the wall. The doctor again repeated his requests and Miriam could only mutter these words, as she continued to push her back against the wall: “That’s not my dog!”
Have you ever found yourself in a position of fear because of a situation you were not familiar with caused you to freeze up and not function properly? Are there certain situations you are just not comfortable with and don’t know how to respond the way you wish you could? I am sure you can all think of something like that. But what do we do when confronted by fear or uncertainty?
In the Scripture above Moses is charging Joshua to be strong and of good courage. What was Joshua faced with? Well, he was in charge of 2 million people who were getting ready to invade a region of many different tribes of peoples and armies with fortified cities that were not going to let his people waltz on in and take over the land where they live. No, they were going to fight!
Moses’ advice to Joshua is as good for you and I when we are faced with a daunting task to accomplish or a personal fear to overcome. Our God will be with us no matter the circumstance of difficulty that is in our face and causing us to tremble a little, or a lot. If Jesus is your Lord and Savior, He resides in you, and goes with you wherever you go and He will “never leave you nor forsake you!”
Jesus when He gave His last instructions to His disciples, He ended with these words: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20b)
PRAY
1. Lord, help me today to remember that You have promised to never leave me nor forsake me. I know I can trust in You!
2. Fill me with Your Spirit today and guide me along whatever path You have chosen for me and help me to be obedient to all that You require of me today.
3. Lord, give Me courage to boldly tell someone today, how You have changed my life for good, and how You have blessed me with your lovingkindness and mercy.
