Deuteronomy 31:7-8 Then Moses summoned Joshua. He said to him with all Israel watching, “Be strong. Take courage. You will enter the land with this people, this land that God promised their ancestors that he’d give them. You will make them the proud possessors of it. God is striding ahead of you. He’s right there with you. He won’t let you down; he won’t leave you. Don’t be intimidated. Don’t worry.”

Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. That’s why he appointed Joshua as his successor. Joshua had been Moses’ faithful assistant since he was a boy. He stayed at God’s tent, and he was the commander of the army that took on the Amalekites.

He was also one of the twelve who had crept through the Promised Land almost 40 years ago on a reconnaissance mission. He was one of only two who had remained positive.

And now he was promoted from assistant to leader. It was a big move, and Moses knew Joshua would feel the pressure. They faced immense challenges ahead: giants, wars, people constantly standing in their way, and the very real danger that consecutive victories would cause them to forget God. That’s what people do. As soon as things go well, we continue on our own.

Fulfilling the promise God made to the Israelites and their ancestors was a monumental task. That’s why Moses encouraged Joshua by saying: Be strong! Be brave! Pump up your faith, because sometimes you‘ll simply have to walk in faith.

The same is true for us today. Often, we are called to step out in pure faith. Others may argue that it doesn’t sound like a concrete plan and try to hold us back. But when a calling comes from God, it requires nothing less than walking by faith alone.

Then we must stand strong. Then we must be brave, especially when everyone around us says something different. We have no reason to be afraid. We can be filled with courage, even when the world around us seems dark. The reason for that? Because God is walking with us, and we know that He will not abandon us. He will not leave us alone. We must just put that in our pipe today and smoke it.

Prayer
Father, today I can face whatever the world throws at me. Not because I’m strong or smart, but because You are with me …

Questions
Where do I currently feel uncertain or afraid about what lies ahead?
Do I truly trust God will walk with me, even into new seasons?
What will change if I choose to act boldly in faith today?

Do this now
Write down one thing today that you’re afraid or unsure of and deliberately bring it to God in prayer.
Say out loud to yourself, “God is with me. I am not alone,” and believe it, even if you don’t feel it.
Take one step forward today in something you’ve been putting off because you’re afraid, and do it trusting that God is going with you.