Joshua 1:9

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” ~ Joshua 1:9


The baby Jesus may have been a toddler by the time the angel came to Joseph to warn him to flee to Egypt for safety. It was a dangerous time once more for the little family. First it had been the 100 mile trip to Bethlehem to register the family for the Roman census. It was a long trip for a pregnant young woman to make, with many dangers along the way. Now, the family had to hurry and leave Bethlehem in fear of Herod the Great. His jealousy was to leave many women “weeping for their children” (Jeremiah 31:15). The protection of the Lord was upon this little family, for this was the Son of God. I often hear from people that when God does an amazing thing through them, they find the enemy of their soul launches an attack. They begin to wonder if they have done something wrong, or ask why God is allowing this to happen? We must always remember we fight a spiritual enemy, and when God moves through us, the enemy gets very angry, and will try to usurp what praise God receives. It takes great courage to continue to follow God when all seems to have turned against us. C. S. Lewis wrote: “Courage is not simply one of the virtues but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the point of highest reality. ” ― (C.S. Lewis, The Screwtape Letters). It is true that we may be challenged after a blessing, just as Mary and Joseph were after the birth of the Son of God, but it is also true that our God will never leave or forsake us in our challenges. Courage says, “I will keep on, no matter the trial, no matter the tribulation, no matter the danger, for my God has always been faithful to accomplish his plan.” This, my friend, is faith in action amidst the rolling seas of turmoil. God’s reality is much different than the enemy’s reality, and the reality of the world. When we come through to the other side, we always see the purpose and plan of God, and know his goodness. Do not be afraid, my friend; God is always with you!

Pastor Julia

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