Do Not Be Dismayed!

Reading:  Joshua 10 - 19
My Verse:  "Joshua said to them, Fear not nor be dismayed; be strong and of good courage.  For thus shall the LORD do to all your enemies against whom you  fight" (10:25).

Joshua made this pronouncement after an amazing miracle and victory.  He wanted the Israelites to know that You, LORD God would continue to give them victories like this!  They needed to hear this as they were facing many more enemies, each seemingly stronger and more challenging than the last. They needed to remember that You will intercede when necessary!

How our lives follow this pattern.  We think we have come through some tremendous ordeal and then here comes another even more difficult trial!  Yet, You tell us through Joshua here that we are to not be dismayed.  That is a difficult thing, LORD God.  I am afraid I am with the Israelites here.  It is so easy to become dismayed, scared and discouraged.

We live so in the present time.  When one is in the midst of a trial it is hard to look back and remember the victories you gave us.  It is likewise hard to look ahead and trust in Your Love and graciousness.  The fear is so very real! The pain hurts!  One feels incapable of facing the fight.  One becomes blind in the glare of the oncoming threat!

The  chapters following Joshua's statement are an amazing account of Your glorious provision.  It is good to read this account of Your provision in the Israelite's time of need and be reminded that You do intercede in our lives when needed.  You know just when to step in and pick us up.

You certainly do not promise us easy - so many dreadful things happen in this world that we cannot even begin to understand.  The most recent incident is the Boston Marathon bombing.  So many  of these events seem so utterly senseless.  But we need to remember that you do promise us eventual victory.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11).

"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us" (Romans 8:37).

Oh, LORD God, thank You for Your encouraging Word!  Help me to hold onto these promises come what may.  Help me to not become paralyzed by fears and doubts but to look to You and be reminded that You love me more than I can possibly understand.  Help me to remember that  nothing can pluck me out of the palm of Your hand!

"My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand" (John 10:29).

We do have reason to not be dismayed, we need to learn how to live as You would have us to live!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!