Encouragement

 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Deuteronomy 31:8 (NLT)

These words were actually spoken by elderly Moses to the young man Joshua who was going to take over as the leader of the children of Israel. God Himself would echo them after Moses died. I'm sure they were effective in encouraging Joshua to be the powerful leader he became.

The command not to be afraid is a common one in Scripture: apparently as numerous as the days of the year (not sure about leap years!). If we trust in the Sovereign of the universe as our God, we have no need to fear. If God is for us, nothing and no-one can be against us.

Moses was seeking to encourage Joshua. I'm sure he was feeling discouraged that Moses his mentor and father-figure would soon die. Yet Moses encouraged Joshua that the Lord, the One who was, is, and is to come, would go before Him.

The Lord who helped Joshua conquer the promised land will help all who trust in Him. He will never fail us or abandon us. He will bring us safely to the new creation.

'Lord, please help us not to be afraid or discouraged, but to prove Your unfailing presence in our lives. For Your glory we pray, amen'

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