Unexpected Encouragement - May. 12, 2009
Posted in Inspirations
Did you ever sit down to your quiet time and realize that what you are about to read in the Bible is not really what you think you should be reading? You look at your reading plan, and your nose crinkles up a bit in distaste. Or maybe you’ve asked God to lead your reading, and you find yourself arguing with Him over what you want to read versus what He wants you to read. That’s the place I was yesterday.
My life has taken a few unexpected turns lately, and the future is looking a bit uncertain and unpredictable. We seem to be speeding headlong into the Great Unknown. Deep down in my soul I believe in God’s sovereignty in all things. I know He has plans for me and my family. I know I’m not always privy to those plans, but because His ways are so much higher than mine, I can trust in those plans. However, my very human heart and mind can sometimes be quite unnerved by the unknown. So, to me, I needed comfort in my quiet time this week not the ancient history of the Old Testament. Believe me, I argued good and long with Him over this. “You know my heart,” I prayed, “You know how crazy the future looks to me right now. How about a nice gospel this week, or maybe some Psalms?” But no. I was lead to read Joshua after I finished Romans, so Joshua it is. You cannot imagine how humble I felt when I read the very first chapter of Joshua? Humble yet confident of my oh-so-uncertain future.
Let me set the stage a bit for you. The Israelites have been wandering around the desert for 40 years now. They are about to cross the
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5
Oh, I hope those words sounded as precious to Joshua as they sound to me! I stayed here for a moment savoring the thought that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me. The tension in my shoulders began to ease just a bit. I let out a breath that I hadn’t realized I’d been holding for what felt like days. Even the beating of my heart seemed to slow and relax a bit. And I read a little further.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Now that’s encouragement! If we let God command our lives we can trust the Great Unknown because He will be there with us. We can be strong. We can be courageous. We do not have to be terrified. We do not have to be discouraged. God will be with us wherever we go. The Great Unknown that my family and I are now facing really is going to be amazing simply because God is in it. I can’t wait!
However, as encouraged as I was in reading these passages, I was also humbled. I tried everything to ignore the call to read Joshua this week. I looked at the study guide at the back of my Bible for something else to read. I tried a Tim Lahaye book about how to study the Bible for advice. I stared at my Bible’s Table of Contents willing the words of the Holy Spirit to change. But they didn’t, and I’m glad. Not only am I blessed with God’s words of comfort and encouragement, but I am reminded that no matter what I think I need, God knows what I need.
Thank you for stopping by! I hope you found as much encouragement in these verses as I did. Have you had your quiet time in God’s Word today? If not, don’t you think it’s time to stop for a moment and have a cup of coffee with God today? You might be happily surprised to find where He leads you.
Betty
Grace and peace be yours in abundance. 1Peter1:2b
