Read
“Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them.”
Joshua 1:6
Reflect
“I’m afraid, Daddy.” Sarah stared through the open door that led to the basement.
Sarah’s father took her hand and reassured her. “I’m here, honey. There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“But it’s dark. What if something trips me?”
“I wouldn’t let anything hurt you.”
Sarah looked at her dad. “Will you go with me?”
“Yes,” her father replied. “I’ll hold your hand. And I’ll be with you the entire time.”
Reassured, Sarah took a deep breath, held tightly to her father’s hand, and took the first step through the door…
From the time we were children, we have always been reassured by having someone bigger and stronger going with us into situations that are scary or unsure. God knew this when he was sending Joshua and the Israelites into the promised land.
Three times in the passage above, he told Joshua to be “strong and courageous.” But He didn’t leave it there – he reassured Joshua that He – God himself – would be with His people wherever they went. Fierce battles awaited the Israelites in their new homeland, but God wanted them to know that no matter what happened, they wouldn’t be alone. Victory awaited them because they had their Father with them every step of the way.
Today, think about the tough situations that you might face today or this week. Re-read the passage from Joshua, and pray that the Lord will be with you, just as He was with Joshua, and just as He promises He will be with all who follow Him.
Reflection copyright © 2025 Doug DeBolt.
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
