“Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Yahweh your God is with you wherever you go.”” (Joshua 1:9 WEB)
Yahweh told Joshua not to be afraid nor be dismayed.
Afraid is fear of the future, while dismayed is disappointment about the past.
God wants us to be strong and courageous in the current moment and live in the present.
God is with you in the present where you are.
Every day you receive Grace to deal with the matters of “today”.
The fresh Grace is not found in your past which is already over, and it is not yet in your future, so it is futile to be afraid or dismayed.
The devil wants you to be paralyzed by the chains of fear and disappointment so that you will be imprisoned, posing no threat to him.
The same Yahweh God who encouraged Joshua said this as a Man:
“Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.” (Matthew 6:34 WEB)
Our Lord Jesus wants us to face the present day with Him, without being burdened by the past or future.
“teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” (Matthew 28:20 WEB)
Just as He was with Joshua, He promises to always be with you, even until the end of the age.
“Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect; but I press on, if it is so that I may take hold of that for which also I was taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers, I don’t regard myself as yet having taken hold, but one thing I do. Forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-14 WEB)
Knowing that Jesus is always with you through His Spirit, you can press on each day, knowing that He’s holding on to you.
Forget the things (mistakes you’ve made and past achievements) which are behind—each day is a fresh start to walk in your high calling which has a prize.
Whatever you do, keep walking forward. God’s word is a lamp to your feet and a light for your path!
You may not be able to see the entire journey, but you can take one step at a time. Remember, live in the present and use the fresh grace that’s available for “today”!
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