I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua 1:9
A Moment to Ponder
The familiarity and relative safety of the wilderness was at his back, while the Promised Land lay before him, but before Joshua set out, the Lord gave him the “now you are leaving the nest”, talk.
Son, Moses is dead. Now it is your turn to lead.
As he stepped out to cross the Jordan into the new, uncharted but Promised Land – Joshua went with one firm assurance from his Father God – “Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you.”
As our children and our young proteges cross from the familiar, secure space of our presence and homes into the wide and sometimes dangerous and confusing world– how do they go?
Inasmuch as we have encouraged and supported their academic and social accomplishments, do we encourage them to be strong, courageous and firmly rooted and grounded in their faith in God?
When we all stand on the threshold of the adventure of life, all things are possible, and we feel invincible, but when we are in the crucible of the challenge, it is there that the depth of our faith and the quality of our moral fabric will be revealed.
Joshua did not only start well with God, but having learned to rely on God, he stood firm in God when the challenges came – even daring to stand for what was right – “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”.
Resilience and courage comes over time, but we and indeed our children, must begin by hearing and believing God’s assurance: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you – then trust God to go before us, as we cross the river of life.
Practical Activity
Give a word of encouragement to a young person today – and share God’s assurance of his presence with them.
Pray for our children and young people as they make the transitions in each area of their lives.
A Moment in Prayer
Father, we bring our children to you for your blessing. Help us to be sensitive to their needs. Give us wisdom in our care of them, that they may grow up rooted in love, steadfast in faith, strong and courageous in life. Guide us and all who have the care of children. May we never hinder but help and encourage them towards independence and maturity, and to a living faith in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Contributed by: Rev. Natalie Blake
