Dismayed Or Determined?

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

There are moments in life when the weight of circumstances presses so heavily upon us that we hardly know which direction to turn. Problems pile up, uncertainties multiply, and discouragement settles over the heart like a dark cloud that refuses to lift. Anyone who has walked through seasons of hardship understands how overwhelming life can become. Yet into the midst of that heaviness, God speaks a word that cuts through fear and restores courage: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9). These words were first spoken to Joshua, but their comfort reaches across the centuries to steady our hearts today.

Joshua knew something about feeling overwhelmed. He was stepping into the role once held by Moses, the greatest leader Israel had ever known. Moses had confronted Pharaoh, parted the Red Sea, received the Law, and guided the nation through forty years of wilderness wandering. Now Joshua stood at the edge of the Promised Land, tasked with leading the people forward. It is not difficult to imagine the weight he must have felt. Yet Joshua was not inexperienced. He and Caleb had been the two spies who brought back a good report, believing that God would give Israel victory. Their faith distinguished them from the rest of their generation, and God rewarded that faith by allowing them to enter the land while others perished in the wilderness. Still, even faithful men can feel the strain of responsibility.

It is in that moment of pressure that God speaks directly to Joshua’s heart. He does not offer a strategy, a military plan, or a list of leadership techniques. Instead, He gives Joshua a command and a promise. The command is simple: be strong and courageous. The promise is even greater: the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Strength and courage are not produced by human willpower; they are born from confidence in God’s presence. Joshua did not need to fear the unknown because the God who had parted seas, fed the people with manna, and guided them by cloud and fire would walk beside him every step of the way.

Fear and dismay are two powerful forces that can drain the heart of hope. Fear whispers that the challenge is too great, the burden too heavy, the future too uncertain. Dismay tells us that failure is inevitable and that we are not strong enough to endure. These voices can take a toll on anyone’s spirit. But God’s word to Joshua—and to us—pushes back against those voices. Instead of fear, God calls us to courage. Instead of dismay, He calls us to determination. Determination is the settled resolve that we will not allow anything to steal our hope or rob us of the peace God intends for us. It is not stubbornness; it is faith anchored in God’s character.

The comfort of Joshua 1:9 rests in the final phrase: “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” That truth changes everything. If God is with us, then no circumstance is too great, no challenge too overwhelming, no valley too dark. His presence is not limited by geography, time, or situation. Whether we stand at the edge of a new responsibility, walk through a season of grief, or face a problem that seems impossible to solve, God remains faithful. His presence is the greatest source of strength we possess.

Life will always have moments that test our courage. But we do not face those moments alone. The same God who stood with Joshua stands with us today. The greatest power in the universe is behind us, within us, and before us. How can we lose? When fear rises, we cling to His promise. When discouragement presses in, we remember His faithfulness. When the path ahead seems uncertain, we trust the One who never leaves our side.

Joshua stepped forward because he believed God’s promise. We can do the same. Strength and courage are not reserved for heroes of the faith; they are available to every believer who places their confidence in God’s presence. Whatever you face today, let Joshua 1:9 steady your heart. The Lord your God is with you—wherever you go.

*The Twelve Spies, Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 

Photo by Stuart Miles. Published on 05 June 2014 www.freedigitalphotos.com

Fog, Or Faith?

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1) 

You are driving down the road to work. You have traveled this road many times. Only this time, you are traveling through a thick fog. Even though you know the road well, you still cannot see where you are going.

The fog of discouragement, despair, and depression, can impair our life's vision. Because of negative things that have happened to us, we can develop an anxiety, a frustration, a feeling of deep dread that diminishes a proper perspective about life, and about our future.

And yes, there are the physical contributions to having this fog of depression clouding our minds, and affecting our feelings about life.

What is the answer? Well it is not a snap your fingers, answer, and all is well. It is an internal problem, that will take time to heal.

It begins with a relationship with the "Light of Life" Jesus Christ. (John 8:12). No one else can help us see through this fog of despair, because no one can get inside us, and work to bring it about. Only the Lord Jesus can get inside us, and help us to see His light, and the direction He wants to take us.

Applying His Word to our hearts, and prayer, will help us to see our road more clearly, and develop a light of hope in our hearts. The Lord will place people in our path that will help us with any of the physical contributions to our depression.

But Keeping our eyes upon Jesus is the best thing for all of us, but especially for those who our depressed, and walking in a thick fog of despair. The road of life can be uncertain, and challenging; one that we cannot always see clearly.

But the road to heaven, as well as to peace, joy, contentment, and security, is Jesus Christ. Are you letting Him be your road today? GP

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To Those Who Sit In Darkness

"The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16) 

You can call me a sissy if you want to, but I like to have a night light on during my sleeping hours. 

Call it security, call it comfort, but for me, it is an encouragement.

In our text, Matthew writes, about the region of the northern tribes of Israel, Zebulon and Naphtali. They (through the years) went through terrible times of trouble with the Canaanite inhabitants, and oppression and captivity brought on by the nation of Assyria.

 For years they sat in darkness, without a feeling of hope. And then Matthew says: "the people....saw a great light." (v.16a) That light was Jesus Christ, as He started His ministry in the area of Capernaum.

How many people do you know, that are sitting in the darkness of fear, worry, guilt, sorrow, discouragement, and much more  trouble, that the world has thrown at them.

There is only one person who can bring hope, to the lives of people who are sitting in these conditions. That is Jesus Christ. And we as Christians, are bearers of that Light. We who have Jesus in our lives, have a responsibility to bring people to Christ, so they can have the same peace, joy, and hope that we have.

In the midst of the darkness of trouble and trial, they will be able place their hands in the hand of the Savior, and walk confidently, knowing that He will show them the way. Let's shine brightly for Jesus today! GP

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How To Love Your Life

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your might." (Deuteronomy 6:5)

 As I write this post, there are several people who are contemplating suicide.
They do not want to enter a new year, because they cannot bear any longer, the sorrow and despair, they feel in their hearts.

We could make a long list of things that contribute to this.
But without a doubt it is different things, for different people.

And there are those who are insensitive to this, and say: "Come on, buck up, get over it, it's not as bad as you think." If those who utter such words would walk in the shoes of those who are hurting, they would change their tune.

But here's my thought for those who are considering giving up God's precious gift. How about loving your creator, with a love that is deep and strong. How about loving God like you have never loved any one, or anything before.

Instead of focusing on your life, and the bad of it; why not focus on your relationship with God, and the good that will come from it. You will love your life, when you totally love the Creator, Savior, and Shepherd, of your life.

Spend as much time as you can with Him, in prayer, and in His Word. Look for opportunities to serve Him, in ministering to people on behalf of Him. God will show you opportunities, you never saw before.

In your time with God, you will feel His loving Presence. In your service for Him, you will see His purpose for your life more clearly.
You will be a different person, with a totally different outlook on life.

Yes, you will come to love your life. Why? Because loving God with all of your heart, soul, and strength, will cause it to happen. Try it, and see! GP

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Giving Up?

"For we do not want you to be unaware, brethren, of our affliction which came to us in Asia, that we were burdened excessively, beyond our strength, so that we despaired even of life..." (2 Corinthians 1:8) 

During the time of the Apostle Paul's Ephesian ministry (Acts 19:1-20:1) he suffered greatly. Personal dangers, as well as possible imprisonments. Time here will not allow me to share specifically what hardships he faced, but we find him expressing in our text, that he had felt so burdened, and so full of despair, that he felt like giving up.

Have you been there? I think many of us have. I don't have any statistics, but I have read, that around the holidays, and especially after the holidays, the suicide rate goes up. (If I am wrong, I stand corrected)

When the blows of our trials hit us over and over, like an aggressive boxer, we come to a point, where we ask the questions: "What's the use of living any longer?" "How can I take it any more!" "What do we do?"

Read 2 Corinthians 1:9-11, and you will find the best and only answer to those questions.

The answer is to trust in God who is our deliverer. Just as He delivered us from our sins, through His Son, Jesus Christ, He will deliver us from our deep, and desperate trouble.

It is on the Lord, that we set our hope on. And hope will never disappoint, because it is our God who is faithful. And He is faithful all the time! GP

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