March 2, 2026 - Joshua 1

Joshua replaced Moses as leader of Israel, and the Lord said to him, “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.  Be strong and courageous. . . . Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (1:5-9).  We are easily reminded of God’s protection of and assurances to others.  The sons of Korah testified, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear though the earth give way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling” (Psalm 46:1-3).  Before Saul and others who mocked him as he prepared to meet Goliath, David recalled, “The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37).  To Jeremiah, he spoke of Jeremiah’s enemies and protection from them:  “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you to deliver you” (Jeremiah 1:8).  Before the Jews in Jerusalem who sought to tear him to pieces, the Lord said to Paul, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome” (Acts 23:11).  Recognizing the real prospect of poverty, the writer of Hebrews counseled, “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5).  In such a tumultuous and dangerous world, it is good to know that our God is always with us as he has been with so many others.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;

Leave to your God to order and provide;

In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.

Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend

Thru' thorny ways leads to a joyful end.   --Kathrina von Schlegel (1752)