“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” – Joshua 1:9
One of the great temptations of life is to think that we can do it all by ourselves. It is true that working with others, relying on others, even living with others, can often be a struggle. We don’t always see eye to eye with one another. Our differences can drive a wedge between us. The frustration from being with others, even those whom we love, can often push us away into solitude. Our relationships, which are so often a joy, can quickly become a burden.
The same is often true for our life of faith. Frequently, life is full of joy and peace, but there are times when joy and peace seem to be a distant dream. The struggles of the day and the weighty demands of work, family, and other obligations are almost more than we can handle. In those busy times, we are tempted to leave God off our schedule. We neglect the gift of prayer, worship, and our devotional time – which is our connection and communication with our Lord.
We were not created to live life on our own. We are better when we are with others. We are at our best when we are connected to God.
The good news is that God has promised we are not alone. Even when we push away, God is with us. When Joshua and the Hebrew people were about to cross into the Promised Land, fear crept into the camp. Rumors began to spread about the dangers they would face on the other side of the river. God offered them this promise, “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” In the difficult times, we often turn inward and forget this beautiful promise. When we connect with God and our neighbors, we are reminded that we are not walking this difficult journey of life alone. This will make all the difference in how we handle frustration, temptation, and the daily demands of life.
– Rev. Keith King, Pastor of Worship
