God said in Joshua 1:9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.”

When we obey the instruction of God, there will be times that we find ourselves in places that are uncomfortable, places that are difficult, places that are downright treacherous.  There will always be circumstances, situations, people even, that challenge us.  It’s interesting that in this passage God says, “Have not I commanded thee?”  He reminds us of an earlier conversation with Him – He reminds us that He made a promise of His Presence, He comforts us with His CONTINUED Presence!

God has commanded us to be courageous.  He has mandated for us to be strong.  He has ordered us not to fear.  He has charged us to not be dismayed.  His instruction compels us to override the natural reactions we have to the things we will inevitably face and remember that He is with us.  God’s guaranteed presence alleviates our anxieties and strengthens us, encourages because nothing we ever face will ever bigger than Him; nothing we ever face will ever be stronger than Him; nothing we ever face will ever be wiser than Him.  He reminds us that wherever we go, He will be with us and in Him we win!

God’s command is prompted by His Promised Presence.  His Presence doesn’t remove us from the experience of encountering daunting challenges, but His Presence provides, protects and directs us so that the power of daunting challenges is negated.  He is the Ultimate Equalizer and He stands with us always.  There are things that will make us feel weak, but God says, “Be strong!”  There are things that will make us feel afraid, but God says, “Be of good courage!”  There are things that will make us feel despondent, but God says, “Neither be thou dismayed!” What we feel because of what we’ve seen or heard has no power over The One we serve!  Regardless of where we are, we are safe in Him!!!