Be strong and courageous.
Joshua 1:6

I am so intrigued with the character of Joshua in the Old Testament. There is much about him that I can relate to! He must have taken the reins of leading the people from Moses’ hands as a total basket case! In the first nine verses of the book of Joshua, God had to tell Joshua three times to be strong and courageous even though he had been Moses’ aide for many years. I can relate to his roadblock of fear and his need for ongoing encouragement!  

I’m intrigued, too, at how God prepared Joshua along the way for exactly what He called him to do. He used previous life-experiences to train and equip Joshua for the journey ahead. He provided training in leadership, in battle, and in hearing the voice of the Lord.

When I look back over my life-journey thus far, I see two major areas of striving and yearning and desperation. Both were very long-term…15 and 17 years, and both came to end in glorious ways by the hand of my faithful Father. By faith, I trusted God in those times to use each heartache, each battle, each decision to form more of Himself in me.  It was not a pretty process. As I get further away from those walks, I see more of what God did in me to equip me for today and tomorrow.

He taught me compassion. He taught me a long patience. I learned utmost dependence on Him. I know He is enough, able, good, kind and trustworthy. He trained me in His Word by satisfying me daily. He showed me how His ways are higher than my ways. Hallelujah!

I’m so thankful that God will redeem hard journeys by making them worthwhile in my life. I want to ever give Him freedom to work more of Himself in me. I love how God spoke encouragement to Joshua over and over. I need that too!  

For I am the Lord, your God, who … says to you, Do not fear; I will help you (Isaiah 41:13).

 Jill Hardin