After freeing His people from slavery, God led them on a forty year journey through the wilderness. They were hungry and God fed them with bread and meat that they did not work to produce. They became thirsty and God satisfied their thirst with water from a rock. They were weak, but God made them strong through the trials of the wilderness. They were attacked, but God gave them victory over their enemies.
Now they were about to enter the Promised Land. They would face more enemies and troubles. So God gave them a message of encouragement written for us in Joshua 1:9; “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Like God’s people, we will surely face troubles and even opposition. The time to gather strength is before the trouble comes. God told the people to be strong and courageous, but not to trust in their own strength, but rather to rely on God’s strength as He would be with them. We must get to know God’s power and wisdom before trouble comes. We must let Him shape us as He did His people in the wilderness. Then we will have the strength to endure struggles and become strong and courageous.
Reluctant Retiree 