“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
I remember the feeling when I started peddling, knowing those training wheels were no longer there. The way the handle bars shifted uncontrollably back and forth, and I felt at any moment I would wreck the bright pink bicycle I’d gotten for my birthday.
“Daddy, don’t let go!” I screamed afraid to turn around.
“I gotcha!” His familiar voice rang in my ear. “I gotcha. Don’t worry.”
His hand on the back of the seat of my bike reassured me to keep peddling as he ran behind making sure I did not get off balance and fall in the parking lot.
Joshua probably felt somewhat like I did even though I was 5 because he had been Moses’ assistant and now God was asking him to do something greater. Joshua would now lead the Israelites into the Promise Land. Like many of us, Joshua lacked confidence. He did not want to fail. He was uncertain of his capabilities. Why would God ask him to lead?
God’s promises are real and true. He will go wherever we go. There is no need to fear or be discouraged because with Him all things are possible.
Just as my father’s voice reassured me, so does God reassure us. “I gotcha! Don’t you worry. I gotcha!”
Today, know that He goes before us. He handles every detail. We do not need to worry or be afraid, “for the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go!”
