I’ve been reflecting on Joshua 1 and the huge changes that came into his life following the death of his mentor, Moses. Change always brings a huge mix of emotions. Joshua would have been deeply grieving the loss of the one he’d worked with and loved as a friend for 40 years. What would happen now he’d gone? How would he and the vast numbers of Jews still wandering the desert ever break through to settle in their own land without Moses?
I find discouragement is a close ally of loss. That little whisper of disillusionment comes in when we are weakened by sadness and change and tells us that things are going to fall apart, that we’ll fail or that God won’t show up. Our peace disappears in place of agitation and dread.
How can God help us when discouragement hits?
I’ve been feeling this way as Marilyn and I have been on a roller coaster these last few weeks wondering if we were moving. Everything fell through but now we have an offer accepted on a new property, not in the seaside town we’d envisaged but just a few miles from where we live now. Instead of euphoria, I’ve suddenly been hit by a whole range of conflicting feelings with worry having the loudest voice. Worry really steals our joy, and maybe like me, you are worrying about many things and joy seems like a mirage?
But God didn’t let Joshua wallow in his feelings. Instead, he told him straight out ‘Now then, you and all these people get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them, to the Israelites.’
If I were Joshua, I’d be feeling ‘Gulp, how can I possibly do that?’ but God continues, allowing no voice of discouragement to take root. ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot. . .As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you or forsake you. ‘
As I thought of my own situation and all my worries, I realised God is making the same promise, as indeed he does to us all. He is saying: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.’
The basis of us experiencing courage and peace in the face of worry and discouragement, is knowing in our hearts that the Lord is with us. He our Almighty One, our Provider and Victor over the darkness; our Light, our Salvation, our Father and Friend who has chosen to be with us always. As Marilyn and I embrace the changes that are coming, he will be with us in every way we need him. As you face the different situations that are making you feel paralysed, he is with you in every way you need him. Jesus said, ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you,’ (John 14:27). The Lord is always offering us his peace and strength. Our part is to take it and allow our hearts to be rooted in it. God told Joshua to meditate on his word day and night. As we open our hearts to drink in the truth of God’s Word and revel in his promises rather than in our fears, that beautiful gift of peace will become more and more, our natural state.
I am finding his peace is filling my heart now as I drink in his love and know that he will be with Marilyn and I as we make this big life change.
Praying his wonderful peace will fill you too. He is with you always.
