Bon Courage, Take Heart

I love when God gives us simple reminders that He is present and involved in our daily lives. About a week ago I was having my personal devotion time in the morning and I felt impressed to pray for someone from work; she had been asking for prayers because one of her very young sons was recently diagnosed with a very rare syndrome that will affect his life and theirs forever. I had been praying for her on and off whenever I remembered, but that morning, not only did I feel impressed to pray for her, but I also felt like God put a verse in my mind for her and gave me specific things to pray for her. 

When I finished my prayer time the thought crossed my mind that I should share the verse with her. I went back and forth with myself in my mind as to whether or not I would actually share it with her. Eventually I caved to my initial thought and sent her a quick message letting her know that I was praying for her and that God would be with her every step of the unknown journey before her. I shared with her the promise and challenge of 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). 

I love that verse. God tells Joshua multiple times in the conversation surrounding that verse not to fear. And as I let the thought simmer in my mind that morning, I saw the beauty of the promise in the verse. 

Have I not commanded you?

"In every command and in every promise of the word of God is the power, the very life of God, by which the command may be fulfilled and the promise realized" (Christ's Object Lessons, page 38).

"Whatever is to be done at His command may be accomplished in His strength. All His biddings are enablings" (Christ's Object Lessons, page 333).

God never gives to us a command that He does not also give to us the power to perform. 

It is such a refreshing thought to me that I can be strong, courageous, and unafraid of what the future might hold, not because I am a strong person, but because my God is a strong God, and He has promised to be with me wherever I go. In my weakness, God is my strength. In my fear, God is my courage.

Be of good courage, take heart; for God holds you in His hands, and He will never let you go no matter what the past, present, or future hold.