Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

- Joshua 1:9 NIV

God is preparing the Israelites for the battles that await them. He instructs Joshua to be strong and have courage; to not be afraid nor be discouraged. As a leader, Joshua needed to set an example.

But how can we NOT be afraid? How can we NOT doubt that we’re qualified? How can we NOT measure the possibility for successful outcomes against past failures?

How can we even press forward when we’d rather turn away? How can we face the uncertain with certainty? How is this even possible when it feels contrary to what has become an innate reaction!

If God commands it; He will equip you for it!

He doesn’t promise that it will be easy, linear, or logical.

He rarely gives time frames for that challenge, that disappointment, that loss, that waiting season, that recovery, that pain. Frustrating…YES! Disheartening even…YES!

But just as He gave His promise to Joshua, God reassures us that we need not fear, and we need not worry because He is in it with us wherever we go.

If God is for us then who or what can come against us? He is the God of then and now!

He knows the before and the after. He is the substance in the middle that keeps you going.

The key is in the application.

For context, in the verses prior, God outlined the importance of His Word by giving Joshua, and us, an ordinance: to mediate on His Word day and night so that we can apply it accordingly to our lives in obedience to His Word.

To apply His word, we must be in his word and when we are in His word, we are living obedient to his word. Full circle!

The word of God is the Sword of the Spirit; sharper than a double edged sword. Our battles are manifestations of the spiritual wars waged against us.

When we speak the power and authority of God’s word over them, we are raising the Sword and declaring our confidence and courage in our victory and remaining steadfast and strong in our faith and fight! Praise God!

Dear friend, you are strong and steadfast! You are confident and courageous! You need not be afraid or discouraged today for the word of the Lord says you are not alone in this battle. God has you!

With Love,
Jasmine Marrero