The Lord is My Strength

by Mary Stout

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

Everyone faces the valleys. King David wrote about that in Psalm 23. Whether you are grieving a love one, worried about how you are going to pay your bills, or when you are diagnosed with cancer, those are all valleys we all go through. Valleys are scary and depressing. You can feel lost or defeated when you go through a valley. Your heart may feel like it’s in a million little pieces because you can’t think straight enough. The life you once knew is no longer there.

Joshua was charged with leading the Israelites to the promised land after the death of Moses. I would imagine he was grieving at the time and could not think straight. How could he? He had just lost his friend and leader. I can imagine him thinking how the heck am I going to do this without Moses? What if I fail? What path will I take?  Life did not look the same to Joshua when Moses died. 

The Lord reassures Joshua and speaks to his faith and heart. He tells him not to be discouraged or afraid. He will be with him wherever he goes. What a magnificent promise we can turn to during stressful valleys! God is with us during those times.  He will guard us as we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. He will love us through the hard things until we are strong enough to go on. 

His strength will guide us when we feel weak. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9, “His grace is sufficient for you. His power is perfect in our weakness.” Lean into your faith and know the Lord will be with you during these times. Listen for His voice, Allow His peace to flow into you. He will never leave you or forsake you. Pray, meditate and study his words. Let them come alive in your mind and heart until you believe once again.

When the Isrealites were on the journey to the promised land, ” By day the Lord went ahead of them in a cloud to guide them and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light.” Exodus 13:21. He is with us day and night. Even if we don’t feel like it. Even if our hearts feel shattered. Even if we face illness.

Look toward Jesus when you go through the valleys. He is the light that will bring you out of the shadows. Allow the grace of God to lead you to the hope of glory in Christ. May your faith be strengthened and may you have peace.

“Faith, Hope and Love the greatest of these is Love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)