What Are You Afraid Of?

Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Dear Kids,

What are you afraid of? Come on, now, everyone is afraid of something! It may be that you’re afraid of meeting a scary stranger while trying to find the car in a dark parking lot. Or maybe you fear failing a big test. Possibly you are afraid of rejection or of receiving bad news from a recent medical test. Everyone is afraid of something.

I love to take walks, but sometimes, depending on the time of day or the place, I am afraid to go by myself. Usually, I will take Cherokee, our black German Shepherd, with me. Though she is such a sweetheart, she can look mean and I believe she would protect me if I got into a dangerous situation. I feel much safer when she is with me.

Moses, the great leader of Israel had just died, and Joshua, his aide, was taking leadership of the children of Israel. He was assigned the task of bringing the nation into the land that God had promised them. This was not going to be an easy job because there were very strong and violent inhabitants already living in the land. They were not going to take kindly to this group of nomads coming to take their lands.

The last time Israel had planned to enter the land they sent spies to evaluate the situation. All but two of the spies were completely awed by the size and strength of the “giants” who were living there. Consequently, because of their lack of faith, God sent them back into the desert to wander for forty years until all the faithless followers had perished. Only Joshua and Caleb, the two believing spies, were allowed to live and enter the land God had promised.

Joshua was now Israel’s leader. In preparation for the conquest of the land, God reassured and encouraged him four times to be strong and courageous. The basis for his courage would be God’s presence. God promised Joshua that “No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you. I will not fail you or forsake you.” 

As Joshua and the people obeyed God’s instructions and followed His guidance in all areas, they were assured of success no matter how strong the enemy seemed to be. There was no need for them to tremble at the circumstances or to be dismayed at the greatness of the difficulty for the Lord would be with them wherever they went.

For those who put their faith in Jesus Christ and follow God’s commands, there is no need for fear either. God’s presence will be with them wherever they go. There is no place that one can go that He is not there. Psalm 139 says, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?”  He is with us in good circumstances and bad, in the morning and in the night, on the land or on the sea. His presence will surround us and we never need to fear.

So what are you afraid of? Whatever it is always remember that those who belong to God will never be alone. There is no need to tremble or be dismayed. Instead, like Joshua, be strong and courageous for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go – and I will take that assurance over Cherokee any time!

Love,

Mama