“Have I not COMMANDED YOU? Be STRONG and of GOOD COURAGE; do not be AFRAID, nor be DISMAYED, for the LORD your God IS WITH YOU wherever you go.“ (Joshua 1:9) Here’s the thing Will: We often misunderstand what it means for the Lord to be “WITH US.” And since we misunderstand this promise, we’re bound to break the command, “Be strong and courageous.” Amid the chaos that breaks out around us. So, this is how this works, God COMMANDS US TO BE:
- strong
- of good courage
- not afraid
- nor dismayed
If we disobey in one or more of the above we WE BREAK GOD’S COMMANDMENT and He is not obligated to perform His promise. You know Will, as a parent I inform my children of my love for them and how I’ll protect them, I tell them not to play in the street and if they DISOBEY while I’m away, they are out from under my protection and they could get hurt.
Our Abba Father desires for us to, “Trust in the LORD with ALL OUR HEART, And lean not on our own 1UNDERSTANDING; In ALL OUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM, And He shall DIRECT OUR PATHS. Do not be wise in your own eyes…” (Proverbs 3:5-7) We are blessed with this God given ability to “1reason” and some, like yourself, are much better than others. So, if we have a tendency to lean on our own understanding, instead of trusting The Lord with our all, He WILL NOT direct our paths. So, Will – pray that you will be SUBMISSIVE TO GOD in ALL your ways and He will help you so you will have His divine support in all areas of your life!
God’s desire is to be GOD FOR US, there is only room for one so, it can’t be us. “The LORD your God IS WITH YOU, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you…(Will)” (Zephaniah 3:17)
Loving you and praying for you…
-Bill Stockham