Be Strong, God Is With You

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‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.’ – Joshua 1:9

In Joshua chapter one, Joshua is appointed as the next leader of the Israelites after the death of Moses. During this time, God assures Joshua of His presence just as He did with His servant Moses. He says, ‘As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you’ – Joshua 1:5

Sometimes, when called to step up into a leadership position, we very often ask ourselves questions like: ‘Will I really make it on my own? How will I be able to raise these kids on my own? Will I be able to do it better? What would people say? Am I even qualified for this new role? It is also during such moments of uncertainty that the enemy finds an opportunity to sneak in thoughts of doubt and fear.

The enemy may tell you: ‘Look at yourself, you are not qualified, you'd better quit, you don’t belong here. You are not enough; you don’t have what it takes to lead.’ The enemy does this so that you don’t get to discover the good things that God has in store for you in your Promised Land. God goes on to encourage Joshua, saying, ‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.’ – Joshua 1:9

Just as God encouraged Joshua to take the leadership role to lead His people, God also encourages us to step up and take the positions of leadership in whatever area we are called. It doesn’t always have to be the big leadership roles alone, even the small ones, too; God is still encouraging us to step up with courage.

If you are a parent and you are stepping up to the position of a father or mother and you have no idea how to raise your children alone, here’s what God says: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.’  Or if you are entering into uncharted waters in your life but still have some doubt in your heart, God is encouraging you to stay strong and courageous, for He will be with you wherever you go. His presence is our peace, and His strength is our courage.

God encouraged Joshua, knowing that challenges awaited him. Challenges like the River Jordan, the walls of Jericho and the armies of nations living in Canaan. God’s words of encouragement were something for Joshua to lean on in times of trouble. It was a reminder to Joshua that when in the middle, when things get complicated, he could rely on God’s promises.

So often, when we find ourselves in the middle, when things are difficult, we tend to ask ourselves: ‘Where is God? Has He abandoned us?’ But we forget that God never left; He was there all along, just as He promised. He promised, ‘The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.’ When you are high up in the mountains, He is right there with you. And when life takes you through the valley, He is also there with you.

David writes in Psalm 46:1, ‘God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.’ God’s help is ever-present; it is always there. When you face all sorts of challenges in life, you are encouraged not to be afraid or discouraged but to be strong and courageous because God’s presence is right there with us in the midst of it all.

In what area of your life is God calling you to step up? Are you afraid of the uncertainties of tomorrow? Do you constantly fear what the enemy may throw next at you?

You have an advantage that the enemy doesn’t know about. And that is, ‘The Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.’ – Psalm 46:7.

You need not be afraid or discouraged by what the enemy may use against you because the Almighty God is on your side and fighting for you. When God calls you to step up, it is because He still sees the good gifts He put in you. He sees you as capable, well-abled, equipped, anointed, talented, strong and courageous. Don’t let fear and doubt hold you back. There is so much that God wants to do for you and through you. When all is done and settled, you will look back and say, ‘Come and see what the LORD has done.’


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