Strong and Courageous

In Deuteronomy 31 Moses prepares the Israelites for his successor.  They have been wandering in the desert for 40 years and the time has come for them to cross over into the Promised Land!  However, Moses knew that he could not be the one to lead them.  This announcement must have terrified the people of Israel who had faithfully followed Moses out of Egypt.  Everyone knew that God had his hand upon Moses!  It was Moses who had kept the wrath of God from destroying them.  It was Moses who guided them everyday and made sure that their actions were pleasing to God.  It was Moses who interceded for them when they displeased God.  How could they possibly enter into this new land and face the armies of their enemies without Moses?  Moses began to encourage and reassure the Israelites, telling them that God himself would cross over ahead of them and destroy their enemies.  They then would take possession of the land that God promised them.  Moses encouraged the Israelites to be strong and courageous because God promised that He would be with them and He would never leave them.

There was a time in my life when fear controlled me.  It controlled where I went, who I went with, and whether or not I stayed.  I became a slave to fear, worshiping it and hating it all at the same time.  My fight or flight instinct was working overtime and I had become too tired to fight anymore.  I finally realized that I could not outrun my fears so I gave up and gave in to God.  I sat on the edge of my bed clutching my grandmother's Bible and declared my surrender to my Abba!  In that moment of utter brokenness and despair I gave everything I had left (which wasn't much) to Him who created me.  I begged Him to save me  from myself and all that threatened to drown me.  I instantly felt the confines of my earthly body melt away and fell into the warm, loving, and safe embrace of the Holy Spirit.  It was like a balm to my soul!  Everything was calm and nothing mattered except that I knew I was LOVED!  I wanted to stay in the safety of my Abba's arms forever and then I opened my eyes to a brand new me!  The big, bad, scary world was still all around me.  I felt strong and courageous, like I could face anything.  Fear is something that I deal with daily but I know that my Heavenly Father dwells within me.  I draw my courage and strength from Him minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day.  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deut. 31:6 NIV)  This is the promise God made to me all those many nights ago and it is the same promise that he makes to you and to ALL of His children.  When you are tired and find you can no longer run from your fears or troubles, turn around and face them declaring this promise from God!