Deuteronomy 31:8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
I am not sure how many times God tells Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged, but I found several references today. As I was thinking about what to write today, I was prompted to read about Joshua. The first words that I read were, "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged." These were the most perfect words for me to hear from the Spirit right now. I'm not exactly afraid, but I have been feeling a bit discouraged. As I read some extra references around this text, I was led to the focus verse. There is so much here that feeds my soul. I am comforted knowing that God goes ahead of us on this journey and that He promises to always be there. He is the one constant that we always have. I have been fortunate that I have come from a very consistent home, with parents who were predictable and loving. Mom's passing has forced me to look to God in ways I now realize I have never done before. I had praised God for his sameness and had taken comfort in His words that promised this. However, these days I am understanding that at a much deeper level. When you lose someone close to you, you feel as though a piece of you has been poured out. In a sense I suppose that is kind of what has happened. It feels as though that part of me is being poured out as an offering to God, an offering of a treasured earthly "possession". In the emptiness that remains, I am filled with Holy Spirit at a level I cannot even begin to put words to. I am not afraid! I am not discouraged! I am being filled to overflowing with a portion of the Holy Spirit that is greater than any possession I have ever known! I guess there might be a little of my Pentecostal mama in me. :-)
I am not sure how many times God tells Joshua not to be afraid or discouraged, but I found several references today. As I was thinking about what to write today, I was prompted to read about Joshua. The first words that I read were, "Do not be afraid. Do not be discouraged." These were the most perfect words for me to hear from the Spirit right now. I'm not exactly afraid, but I have been feeling a bit discouraged. As I read some extra references around this text, I was led to the focus verse. There is so much here that feeds my soul. I am comforted knowing that God goes ahead of us on this journey and that He promises to always be there. He is the one constant that we always have. I have been fortunate that I have come from a very consistent home, with parents who were predictable and loving. Mom's passing has forced me to look to God in ways I now realize I have never done before. I had praised God for his sameness and had taken comfort in His words that promised this. However, these days I am understanding that at a much deeper level. When you lose someone close to you, you feel as though a piece of you has been poured out. In a sense I suppose that is kind of what has happened. It feels as though that part of me is being poured out as an offering to God, an offering of a treasured earthly "possession". In the emptiness that remains, I am filled with Holy Spirit at a level I cannot even begin to put words to. I am not afraid! I am not discouraged! I am being filled to overflowing with a portion of the Holy Spirit that is greater than any possession I have ever known! I guess there might be a little of my Pentecostal mama in me. :-)
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