The Bracelet

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.

~Joshua 1:9 NKJV

I wore a slender silver cuff which reminded me of what the Lord had told me for years. The engraving read, “Be strong and courageous.” Nonetheless, I often asked the question, “Am I truly being strong and courageous?”

I wondered as I struggled to do my daily chores with vigor and joy. How could I add new things to my daily routine? The venture seemed daunting.

Fears

Old fears swirled around in my head, keeping me stuck and afraid to move forward into new areas the Lord had highlighted to me. Past failures popped into my head, making me hesitate even more. I felt others saw me as a failure, too, because I saw myself that way.

However, God reminded me that He created me as His beautiful masterpiece, and He affirmed me with words of love and encouragement from the Scriptures.  

Even though I knew God loved and accepted me, I felt rejected and stuck.

Friends

When I asked my friends about my mindset, they quickly rejected the ideas I had of failure. They reminded me that God did love me but didn’t remember any behaviors for which I had asked His forgiveness.

Even so, I continued to carry the weight of guilt and shame from past mistakes. Instead of pressing forward, I reminded myself often to be courageous. Because Jesus had forgiven me; I could face thoughts that threatened to cripple me instead of running from them.

Joshua’s Example

Joshua received the same command from the Lord when he became the new leader after Moses’ death. He was now responsible for taking his people, the Israelites, into the promised land that God had promised their ancestors. The Lord spoke clearly to him, telling him not once but three times to be strong and courageous.

The Israelites had wandered in the wilderness for years because of unbelief. The first time they came to the border of the Promised Land, they doubted. Now, they had a second chance to trust God’s ability to do what He had promised. Joshua was one of the twelve scouts sent into the land. The first time they came to the border, Joshua had been one of only two scouts who believed God could take them victoriously into the land.

Joshua needed the affirmations God gave him while on the opposite side of the Jordan River. I, like Joshua, gain encouragement as I look at my bracelet. I want to believe and trust God in all circumstances as Joshua did. 

God has shown Himself faithful to me in the past in multiple situations. He will lead me forward as I take each step, at a time He has prepared. Ephesians 2:10 NKJV says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

How can you move forward to accomplish the tasks God entrusts to You?

Heavenly Father, fill and empower me to move forward in obedience to You to do the new things You lead me to accomplish. When I am afraid, help me trust You even then. Give me the courage to trust You with each day and each step of the way. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2024: Be Strong and Courageous: Elizabeth Zacharias: All Rights Reserved