joshua chapter one

Fear. Don't you hate it?
In the past day it seems it's been hitting me from every direction and I can't get away from it. I'm scared of my move to Mali - and I'm terrified of some of the things there [geckos, scorpions, 110+ degree heat, etc.]. I'm just being honest with you guys. I can't sit here and proclaim the beauty of sacrifice and everything else that goes along with it and act like I'm not human. And act like I don't need GOD's Word. I need to be reminded of His promises, I need to be rooted in them. Sure, I'm excited, stoked, and can't wait to get there, but I'm scared. Scared of things that I can't control. Terrified of little critters that will be inside and outside my living quarters. I cringe at the thought of the heat there. But you know what? GOD's saying, "Be still and know that I'm here."

Whatever terrifies you, rebuke it. GOD says DO NOT BE TERRIFIED OR DISCOURAGED. He is with me, and His is with you. He is with me here in America, and He will be with me in Mali. He commands you to be strong and courageous, for He is with you. He wants you to trust Him, fully trust Him.

With all that you have within you,
TRUST HIS LEADING.

TRUST HIS TIMING.

TRUST HIS FAITHFULNESS.

JUST TRUST HIM.

HE HAS IT UNDER CONTROL, EVEN THOUGH YOU DON'T.

THE SAME GOD THAT IS TELLING YOU TO DO THIS, HE IS WITH YOU, AND HE WILL NEVER, EVER LEAVE YOU.

I have to tell myself, HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE. YOU ARE, BUT HE'S RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. HE'S HOLDING YOUR HAND, AND HE'S NOT GOING TO LET GO OF IT. EVER. EVER.

The very first chapter of the book of Joshua spoke volumes to me today.

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: 2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea [a] on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

Not even those scorpions in Mali. GOD hears me in the little things.

6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.

Be strong and courageous and GO! I am sending you to tell Mali about me. About all my wonders, about all my faithfulness. About who I AM, and who I will always be. I am commanding you to give share with them my promises. Tell them about my Son Jesus. By doing this, you are giving them the promises. These are your brothers and sisters, and how can you not help them? How can you not give them what I have for them?
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."
10 So Joshua ordered the officers of the people: 11 "Go through the camp and tell the people, 'Get your supplies ready. Three days from now you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you for your own.' "
GO, my daughter and get ready. Prepare yourself for where I'm sending you. I'm transforming you, but you have to cooperate with me.
12 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh, Joshua said, 13 "Remember the command that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: 'The LORD your God is giving you rest and has granted you this land.' 14 Your wives, your children and your livestock may stay in the land that Moses gave you east of the Jordan, but all your fighting men, fully armed, must cross over ahead of your brothers. You are to help your brothers 15 until the LORD gives them rest, as he has done for you, and until they too have taken possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving them. After that, you may go back and occupy your own land, which Moses the servant of the LORD gave you east of the Jordan toward the sunrise."
GO and tell them of my promises. I have given you eternal life. Share what I have done for you with them so that they too might get in on the promise. Heaven will one day be your reward, but do this NOW.
16 Then they answered Joshua, "Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the LORD your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey your words, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous!"
What you have commanded me, Lord, I will do. I will go to Mali. I will obey You. You will be with me. I'll be strong and courageous because of You and for You!