“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not be terrified nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
—Joshua 1:9, NASB

Reflection

God commands us to be strong and courageous. Through His grace and with His help, we do not have to tremble or be dismayed. We can ask Him to lift the burden of fear from our lives and to set us completely free, thanking Him for His love, mercy, and grace, which enable us to walk in freedom from all fear. He is with us wherever we go, and this knowledge brings great peace.

One powerful way to strengthen ourselves is to turn God’s Word into our own personal prayers and pray His Word back to Him. Through praying God’s Word, we let His words sink deeply into our spirit. His Word has the power to create faith within us. As we personalize it and turn it into prayer, that faith will increase.

Jesus had no fear. Nowhere in the Gospels do we see Jesus expressing fear in any way, shape, or form. And the same Jesus who walked the earth 2,000 years ago now lives inside of each of us. So His fearlessness dwells inside of us. Beloved, this is a wonderful truth worthy of our meditation. The One who knew no fear, the One who had all authority in heaven and on earth, lives within you and me. 

When the disciples were afraid in the middle of the Sea of Galilee, their fear was real. They asked the Master for help, and He helped. Jesus rebuked the storm and then asked them, “Why are you afraid? How is it that you have no faith?” He first revealed His power to them, then He told them that the answer to their fear was faith.

If we are going to keep ourselves from being afraid and experience a new energy, confidence, and fresh fire within, we must find a way to let our faith increase. Our faith increases as we pray the transforming Word of God. Faith enables us to know that God is present.

Beloved, seize His Word and let it do its mighty work within you. Strengthen yourself through consistently reading, meditating, and praying the Word of God back to Him. We need to really believe that He loves us with a love that is unconditional, incorruptible, and eternal. He is fighting for us. He knows everything we’re going through. He is involved in our lives, and He is always present with us.

Seize His Word, and don’t let anything else in. We strengthen ourselves in the Lord through abiding in His Word. Be ever vigilant, actively seeking God, choosing to believe God, and strengthening yourself in His Word consistently. This is faith in action.

Application

• Turn Joshua 1:9 into a personal prayer today, praying God’s Word back to Him until its truth sinks deeply into your spirit.
• Seize God’s Word consistently through reading, meditation, prayer, and actively choosing to believe Him when fear attacks.

Prayer

Father, I thank You for Your commandment to be strong and courageous. Through Your grace and with Your help, I will not tremble or be dismayed, because You are with me wherever I go. Lift the burden of fear from my life and set me completely free. Increase my faith as I read, meditate on, and pray Your Word back to You. Help me to seize Your Word and not let anything else in, knowing that You love me, You are fighting for me, and You are always present with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.