I hereby
command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your
God is with you wherever you go.
Sometimes it is easy to be strong and have courage, especially when
things are going well. But when we have problems, it can be difficult. God promises to get
us through those times when we don’t have the strength and courage we need.
God promises to be with us at all times. What a comfort to know we are
not alone. We can be strong, knowing we have God with us in the bad times as well as in
the good. We need not fear. We can always count on God.
In the book of Joshua, God tells Joshua that the promises made to Moses
will be kept. One of those promises was that the Israelites would enter the Promised Land
and that God would always be there to guide the journey. The verse applies just as much
today as it did in Old Testament times.
In January of 2002, I learned I had cancer. God has been there for me
ever since, and I have depended on God. Some things have seemed like a miracle. By
"miracle," I mean that it had to be God working in order for things to happen
the way they did – just the right doctors and nurses came along at just the right
time. I am sure God was taking care of me.
There are times God has given me strength and courage I never thought I
had. I have had my times of fear and doubt, but God has always sent someone into my life
to bring me back on track to God.
None of us knows what will happen. I certainly do not know what my
future holds, but I do know WHO holds my future. At this time, things are going
well for me, and I thank God every day for his presence with me. What a blessing to have
God beside me, leading and guiding me through life.
Dear God, you give us the promise that you are always with us.
What a comfort to know our Divine Father is there for us in all situations and all times.
Please help me to be a faithful servant and to remember your constant presence.
