Facing Huge Challenges

Reading:  Joshua 1 - 5
My Verse:  “Have not I commanded you? Be strong, vigorous, and very courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go" (1:9).

Going forward the Israelites had incredible challenges before them.  First their great leader Moses has died.  They had a new leader, Joshua.  They were now at the edge of the land they were to go into, wage warfare for and conquer.  It must have all seemed a bit overwhelming.  Then You LORD God provided them with some seemingly strange and questionable directives.

What an incredible story unfolds as You lead them onward!

First that very strange event that happened to the spies Joshua sent into the town of Jericho.  Their strange encounter with the harlot, Rahab, who provided them safety and guidance.

Then the crossing of the Jordan - so similar to the crossing of the Red Sea.  You again did a great miracle.  This miracle not only ensured Your presence but also placed fear in the surrounding nations.

Then you required of them another strange, seemingly unwise event.  You required that all the men undergo circumcision.  This would mean right next to enemy territory, the men would be incapacitated for several days.  Yet, the people were obedient, and You protected.

Finally, that amazing story of Jericho.  The people had to wonder what they were doing marching around this city.  Then you provided that miraculous victory as the walls of Jericho crumbled and the city was taken.

Oh, LORD God, life on this earth is not a peaceful, gentle stroll.  You certainly did not promise us easy.  But You do promise that You will be with us through all the scariness.  I do find it hard to hang onto that at times.  I so often feel like the timid mouse, frightened of everything, wanting only to scamper away and hide.

You tell us to, "Be strong, vigorous, and courageous. Be not afraid, neither be dismayed."  I need help here, LORD God.  I like what you tell me here and yet it is the living of it that I struggle with, how is this to look in my life?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.” [This is] the Lord’s declaration. “For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8–9).

Oh, LORD God, help me to hold onto this truth of You.  Like the Israelites, we too easily become dismayed in the face of big challenges, but we so do not know Your Ways!

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!