I relate to the story about the 5-year-old girl watching her mother in fascination as she was rubbing cold cream on her face. She said, "Mom, why do you do that?" The mother said, "To make myself beautiful." To the little girl's amazement in just a minute, the mother began removing the cream she had just put on with a cloth. The girl said, "What's the matter? Giving up already?" What if God spoke to you today? Would he say “What’s the matter? Giving up already?” Life is filled with hard times and struggles and disappointments and fears. And there are some times when we just want to crawl in a hole and cover it up over us. But if you are feeling anything from fear to frustration, remember that God is with you. The people of Israel were on the verge of going into the land that God had promised them…and it looked like a pretty scary endeavor. But Joshua, who had followed Moses in leadership of the hundreds of thousands of people told them from God to be strong and courageous. To not be afraid or discouraged. Well, those are brave words, but why shouldn’t we be afraid or discouraged? Because the Lord, your God…is with you wherever you go. The key is that the Lord has to be YOUR God. Not just the God of the universe out there. If you are going to be strong and to be courageous, you won’t be able to do this life to the fullest on your own. And the good news is that not only you don’t have to…your are not supposed to do it on your own. Stay close to God. Spend time with others in worship on Sundays. Read your Bible. Have relationships with other followers of this Jesus of the Bible. And God will make a way for you no matter what you are facing or fearing. God loves you, God is with you and God wants you to finish well in this life. Don’t give up and surrender only to God himself! Here’s our Bible verse for today…
Joshua 1:9 BSB Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ
Joshua 1:9 BSB Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
Remember I'm praying for you,
PJ