Today’s Reading is Joshua 1:6 – 9 ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.  ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.  ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.  ⁹ 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.”

In today’s text, God is speaking to Joshua after Moses’ death.  He’s letting Joshua know that He’ll be with him and that the promise made to Jacob will be fulfilled.  If Joshua follows the Lord and does as he is commanded he will be prosperous and successful.

The last couple of years have been a difficult time for many families due to the economic downturn.  Some people have lost their homes, jobs, cars and other objects.  It has been a trying time, but I don’t know of any bank or taxing authority that repossessed anyone’s soul during this time.  We were also caught up in this difficult time.  Just months after Janie had completed her chemo treatments, I was laid off from my job.  As I searched for jobs that didn’t seem to exist, Janie found an opportunity caring for elderly people, which was perfect for her.  It was difficult to see your wife that had gone through so much, going out to work with just a stubble of hair on her head, but God was there for us.  It would have been very easy to lose faith during these times, but God continued to give us our daily bread as we needed it.  He was always with us giving us just what we needed as he did the Israelites when he gave them manna each morning.  Please share any God stories that you may have experienced during this time. 

As Joshua was asked to be the “light” for his people, so are we called to be the “light” for others.  He’s told not to be afraid, but have confidence that the Lord is with him and that the Lord will not forsake him through any trials that he may face.  The Lord gives us this same promise.  He won’t forsake us, so why should we fear?   Should we fear the world if we are considered “different” in the world’s eyes?  If Joshua had wavered in believing God would be with them and protect them, would the Israelites have made it to the promised land or would they continue wondering through the wilderness?  If the person in the next cube that is hurting doesn’t hear from me, will they hear from someone else?  What if 3 other Christians sitting around someone hurting also doesn’t want to “get involved”?

Dave