Verse Of the Week for October 20 - October 26

“Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

- Joshua 1:9

These words of encouragement were given to Joshua by the Lord. Moses had died and now the Lord calls upon Joshua to lead the children of Israel into the promised land. The Lord had been preparing Joshua for this moment in time. Joshua had been Moses minister. (Exodus 24:13) He had been with Moses, listened to him, saw the way he conducted himself as well as his love for his people. Now it was time, his time to be used of God for a specific task. The Lord tells him to be strong and of a good courage. We are called upon in the New Testament to be “strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. We are so weak without Him. We can’t accomplish anything good on our own. We need Him. We need His strength. We must trust and rely upon Him every step of the way. Joshua was no different! He was to be of “good courage.” Joshua could be of good courage knowing that the Lord would be with him. He said for him not to be afraid. Joshua had nothing to fear just trust, have faith in God. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us. He’s promised to be there for us and with us no matter what we go through. He says neither to be dismayed. To be dismayed is to fill anxious or alarmed at the prospect of trouble. The Lord was assuring Joshua that He (the Lord) was up for the task. Joshua had nothing to worry about as far as the Lord was concerned. Neither do we. Then the Lord assured Joshua that He (the Lord thy God) would be with him wherever he went. What a promise. What a calm assurance this must have been for Joshua. The same promise holds true to you and I today. We have nothing to fear for the Lord is with us all along the way! Thank you Lord for your Word and all the promises you have sent to us! Amen.