I have to confess that I have not been feeling very courageous lately. In fact, I have been more like a coward after hearing the word cancer spoken about my beloved grandson. I have feared the future for him, the suffering he must go through and just the general fear of such a diagnosis. But God has been speaking words of comfort all week and today, this devotional spoke courage right into my spirit. I have told myself and you many times that God is in control, but when my faith is tested, I backed away from that strong belief. God is drawing me back into the place where I belong. He knows my doubts and fears and He is right there with me. He is right there with our grandson, answering his questions and doubts. It is easy to believe in God when all is going along just as we expect, with no big issues or problems. The hard part comes when there is a challenge to our faith. Satan uses these challenges to test our faith, to see if we can be pulled over to his side. Remember that Job’s wife told him just to curse God and die. Basically, she was telling him that there was no more reason to believe in God any more as much as he was suffering. However, the opposite is true. When the suffering, testing, and challenges to our faith come, that is when we cling tighter to God and He moves closer to us. The courage comes not from within me, but from knowing that God is on my side and He is working on the problem even as I go about my daily routine. God hasn’t forgotten Isaac; He is more beloved of God than he is of me and my husband. God has the situation under His control, so we can courageously say that it will be okay because God is with him and with us.

God is with You

Throughout the Bible, there are various moments where God tells someone to not be afraid. Each one comes at a time when the hearer has every reason to be very afraid.

In one instance, Joshua, the leader of Israel after the death of Moses, was taking the Israelites to their promised land (see: Exodus 3). He was leading over one million people to a place God had promised, and it meant going through some overwhelming and terrifying situations.

In the midst of this, God commanded Joshua to do two things:

Obey the Word of God and, be strong and courageous because the Lord was with them. (See: Joshua 1:7-9)

In Matthew 28, Jesus says something similar just after His resurrection. He is with His eleven disciples and He tells them:

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV (Emphasis added)

Jesus tells His disciples two main things:

– Obey His word (“go into all nations and make disciples”) and, He would be with them.

– God is always the same. He was the same God when He gave Joshua His word and the assurance of His presence, and He is the same God who gives us His Word and assures us of His presence. We are known, loved, and cared for by the faithful, consistent God—and He will never leave or abandon us.

Today, reflect on the ways you can teach others about Jesus and His words. How does His Word and His presence make you strong and courageous? Before leaving this time, thank God for His promise to always be with you.