God’s Promises

by Sue Detweiler

Have you ever felt so discouraged by something that it was hard to do what you were called to do?

Joshua had served Moses for 40 years and couldn’t imagine going into the promised land without him leading the way. God spoke to Joshua after Moses’ death and said “Get going!”  He assured Joshua that He was leading him across the Jordan River. Not only that, He promised strength and courage.

As a mom, there have been times that I have been discouraged enough that I emotionally wanted to give up.  Many people were appalled when a single mom had adopted a child from another country became so overwhelmed that she put him on the plane and try to ship him back to where he came from.  You know with two adopted sons from a foreign country that are both adolescence, I truthfully feel compassion for this mom.  If any one of us let the negative circumstances shout in our minds “It will never change — you will never cross over” … then you will be tempted to turn back from what God is calling you. But we don’t walk by our emotions. We walk by faith and not by sight.

Remember God’ promises you strength and courage to cross over to the other side of your “Jordan River.”  He promises to be with you every step of the way. You know the things He has promised for you and your family.  There’s no time to doubt or be afraid of the giants on the other side of the River. It’s time to trust God and allow Him to lead you and guide you to the other side.

“After the death of Moses the servant of God, God spoke to Joshua, Moses’ assistant:  “Moses my servant is dead. Get going. Cross this Jordan River, you and all the people. Cross to the country I’m giving to the People of Israel. I’m giving you every square inch of the land you set your foot on—just as I promised Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon east to the Great River, the Euphrates River—all the Hittite country—and then west to the Great Sea. It’s all yours. All your life, no one will be able to hold out against you. In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! You are going to lead this people to inherit the land that I promised to give their ancestors. Give it everything you have, heart and soul. Make sure you carry out The Revelation that Moses commanded you, every bit of it. Don’t get off track, either left or right, so as to make sure you get to where you’re going. And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed. Haven’t I commanded you? Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.” Joshua 1:1-9 The Message Bible.