Joshua 1:5 – 9

“As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Only be strong and courageous…be not afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

As a home schooler, fully reliant on God to live in this world and yet seek first His kingdom and righteousness for ourselves and our children, one often wonders whether we are doing what is right for the next generation. Fears assail us, and our inadequacies threaten to engulf us. Human frailty opens wide its unforgiving mouth and our vision to teach our children to love our God with all their hearts, minds, souls and strength dims in the face of everyday reality. As I cried out to the Lord for strength and wisdom for yet another year, the Lord gently reminded me that the God of Moses Who led the people of Israel in all their journeys, performing miracles and providing for their needs, pouring out His heart into a feeble folk in preparation for generations to come to declare His praises, sending fear and knowledge of Who the only living and true God is into the hearts of the enemy, that same God is with us. We do not need a cloud by day or fire by night to indicate the presence of the Lord with us.

His promise is true. We have the Counselor, the Comforter, Who will teach us all things. He is with us always, never to depart, for He abides with us in the tabernacle – the Treasure within earthly vessels, these clay pots – our physical beings. His promise to trembling contrite Joshua came to me. “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you…” A personal promise from a personal God, full of grace and truth. Through our weaknesses, we see His glory manifested, His grace and power perfect for the task ahead. The glory that led the people of Israel, that made the mountains tremble, the power that pushed the waters aside and made dry land appear, the strength that cleft the rock and brought forth rivers of water, the energy that caused our Savior to defeat the forces of darkness, sin and death – the same is within us – to show us His will for each day, to give us ideas and comfort, to care for His own, - and ultimately to make us like the focus of His heart – His Son.

Be still and watch how He shows Himself strong for you in all you go through this year, beloved. Only be strong and courageous. Do not give way to your fears, for fears that focus on yourself and your abilities and resources are not from Him.

The heritage we are seeking for our young ones is far greater and of infinitely more value than the heritage of those who are left to the temporal.

Oh, the height and depth of glory! Oh the length and breadth of love! Oh the fullness of redemption, pledge of endless life above!