“…Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
Without the assurance of God, the Father, I would not be where I am today. Thank you, Lord, for your faithfulness. Whatever you may be going through today, trust God’s Word. Be strong and courageous. Joshua 1:5-7 reminds us that God will stand with us once we obey His laws and turn not from them. Only be brave.
Allow me to share this testimony: I went to the doctor for a routine check-up. The results were alarming: high pressure, elevated sugar levels, and heart issues. The doctor recommended a pacemaker, stating that I had experienced a heart attack. I contacted my late brother, Pastor Jackman, who reassured me by saying that the God I serve in Guyana is the same God in America. He prayed for me, and the next morning, a nurse informed me that the doctor would make a final decision the following day. The doctor initially mentioned that a stress test could be fatal for me, which caused me anxiety. That evening, I prayed, asking the Lord if there was another way to assess my heart for blockages. The following morning, the doctor decided to use an alternative method, which revealed no blockages. It has been twelve years, and I am doing well by God’s grace.
This experience reinforced the importance of being strong and courageous. Reflecting on this time, I see how fear and anxiety were high, but through God’s Word, I gained confidence and strength. Friends, do not lose hope, as Jesus is always with us. We can call on Him during good times, struggles, and difficult moments.
I remember going to a job interview. Upon reaching there, the room was packed with six hundred and twenty-five people; that was the capacity. Outside, there were at least thirteen hundred more waiting. After about an hour, they realised something needed to be done, so they told us to fill out a form, only putting in our area code because they would only give us a school in our area. I filled out my form and gave them my area code, but the officer said, “No, they will not give you a school outside your area.” I said that’s okay, just leave it. She said, “Okay, just wanted to say, but God…”. In two weeks, I got a call that they had an opening at a school, and the only thing I could say was, “Sure!” I got a school despite my area code. Hallelujah!
God said He is always with us. Learn to trust His Word. Don’t be afraid, be courageous.
Prayer
Lord, words cannot express my gratitude to You. Thank You for being my strength during struggles and difficult times. Thank You for replacing fear with boldness. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Read: Deuteronomy 31:6; Acts 4:13
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 78: 32-39; Acts 18:9-28; Acts 19:1-13; I Kings 20; I Kings 21