Be Brave

By KRISTAN DOOLEY

Moses was dead and the Israelites were trembling. No doubt, Joshua was intimidated. The task before him was great. Not even his famous leader, Moses, had been able to lead these people into the Promised Land. They spent years (40 to be exact) wandering in the wilderness because of their inability to trust in the provision of the almighty God.

Shaking in his sandals, Joshua stood before God, his people and what would become his biggest conquest yet: taking possession of the Promise Land.  Joshua was shouldering an intense amount of pressure in this moment.

Spiritually speaking, the act of taking on new land is no easy task. To go somewhere with God you haven’t been before can be intimidating, scary and confusing. Joshua had followed God right behind Moses for as long as he could remember, but now it was time for him to follow God more closely for himself.

God is faithful to meet us right where we are and give us exactly what we need to move forward, and for that I am most thankful. Leading a new church has put me in over my head.  How do we find a building? How are we supposed to make a mark on the community around us? Now more than ever, I need the Father to show us the way forward. If left up to my own emotions, my faith would waiver and my fear would overtake me. I don’t fully know how we conquer the giants in front of me, and yet I know fully the one who already has.  

Every day, you and I are responsible to stand bravely in front of Him as He boldly reminds us who He is and what He’s prepared for us.  Read the charge God gave young Joshua that day: “Get ready! Cross the Jordan River! Lead these people into the land which I am ready to hand over to them. I am handing over to you every place you set foot, as I promised Moses. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not abandon you or leave you alone. Be strong and brave! You must lead these people in the conquest of this land that I solemnly promised their ancestors I would hand over to them. I repeat, be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic, for I, the Lord your God, am with you in all you do”  (Joshua 1:2-3,5-6,9).

What would your life look like if every morning you woke to the voice of God whispering that same truth over you? “Today you are going on a journey. From the looks of it, it is a hard journey. It may be uncomfortable at times. It may feel costly. You may want to turn back, but, I want you to be strong. I want you to be brave.  Do not be afraid, do not panic, everywhere you set your foot you are stepping on land that I have given to you. What you are looking for is already yours. The roads you travel have already been paved. It’s not going to be easy, but it is going to happen. You just focus on Me, be brave and step out.”

For me, it inspires me to move forward despite the uncertainty.  It helps me to trust when I can’t see the road ahead.  I don’t know what you are up against, but I do know you can put your brave face on because He goes before you. He walks with you. He will never leave you, forsake you, fail you. You are never alone.

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT  In Deuteronomy 31:8 it says, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”  Faith presents us with an open invitation into an unknown journey. A journey promising mountains and valleys, rainy days and maybe even the occasional tornado, but also one that will blow our minds with overwhelming abundance should we chose to bravely stay the course.

He has something for you, more than you could ever imagine. His plans will blow your mind, but you will need courage. Will you accept His call and start walking forward to take on your new land? Will you stand up and march into the unknown knowing you have an all encompassing, all consuming, all knowing, ever faithful Father that has prepared the way before you?  Where do you need to be brave today? What is one step forward that you can take in this situation? Who is one person you can tell?

PRAYER  Thank you, Father, that you have already won the battle. I don’t have to fear the unknown giants in front of me because You’ve promised to take them down. Stir up in me a spirit of bravery. Stir up in me a spirit of victory. Stir up in me a spirit of faith. Help me to step more firmly into the words of faith You speak over me.  I love You and thank You in advance for strengthening me. Amen.