Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. —JOSHUA 1:9
Every single one of us is afraid of something. Even those of us who seem to be brave are usually just better than others at hiding how scared we really are. But you know what’s amazing? That God knows how scared we feel and uses us for his purposes anyway.
I once read that the phrase “Do not fear” or “Fear not” is used 365 times throughout the Bible. There will be very few times in our lives when there isn’t some situation to be afraid of. In The Wizard of Oz, the Cowardly Lion spends his whole journey searching for courage and when he finally meets the Great Wizard of Oz, he is told that true courage is facing danger even when you’re afraid.
No doubt Joshua was terrified as the time grew near for him to lead the people of Israel across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land. But God assured him in Joshua 1:5 that “No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” And God promises us the same.
TAKEAWAY
Fearful times will come, scary circumstances will arise, giants will stand in our way, but we have a God who is with us always, whispering that true courage is when we walk ahead in our fear and take the leap of faith, always knowing that he promises to never leave us.
THINK ABOUT IT . . .
What scares you? How can you be fearless instead of afraid?
—Melanie Shankle, author of Fearless Faith: 100 Devotions for Girls
