Joshua 1:9

"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." ~Joshua 1:9


These words are such encouragement, no matter what time or season of life I find myself in. The first part is the kicker though, the Lord commanded me! It wasn't a suggestion or an option, but a command. I need to be strong and courageous because the Lord is with me wherever I go. Wow! What a reality check.

No matter what I do, where I go, or who I meet, God is always with me. The word always has never meant more to me than it does recently. As I look back over my life, there are only a couple of moments where "always" really has meant "always". My parents said they would always love me (and they do). I said always on my wedding day (and I cannot be happier that I did) and almost 4 years later I still mean it with all my heart. And last, God said He would ALWAYS be there for me, and He really, truly is.

As I get older, I find that commitments from the Lord become more real and meaningful to me because I know the value of a commitment. The Lord has made a covenant with his people to be merciful in wrath and to be loving in judgement. I thank the Lord for what He has shown me and what He has yet to teach me.

"Praise and glory and wisdom and thanks and honor and power and strength to our God for ever and ever. Amen!" ~Rev. 7:12