Lesson Focus: God Is With You; You are Not Alone
1.Read 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 is with you wherever you go.” (ESV)
2.Studying Joshua 1:9
There are many other places in the bible we read God’s words of assurance so earthly sojourners. He wants us to know, no matter what we go through, no matter what we feel like, no matter what our brain is telling us, nor the messages others who aren’t so certain relay to us, we are not alone in this life, but he is with us.
Our knowing God accompanies us on our journey is extremely important to God because he knows when we are assured of his presence and companionship, we are stronger and more confident. Its not only Joshua that God wanted to emphasize his constancy, but to us today in modern times. Knowing we would reach places and experience times in life where we would “feel” alone. People who are experiencing depression or suffering from some form of mental illness feel alone, those who are grieving often feel alone in their grief, people who are struggling financially; having difficulty making ends meet, going through a tough time in their marriage or with their children, paying for housing or securing nutritional food can feel alone. Those who have pain that won’t let, up going through their body day and night, feel alone.
Maybe God repeated his message of companionship to Joshua so many times because he wanted Joshua—like he does us—to take that truth and etch is on his brain and heart so when trouble came, when enemies were pursuing, when he was missing the leadership of Moses, when he “felt” alone and uncovered he would remember and hear God speaking a message to assure him; “Don’t be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
3.Meditating on Joshua 1:9
As you meditate on Joshua 1:9 what part of God’s message to Joshua touch your heart or resonate with your circumstances presently? What happens when you meditate on this verse as a command and not a suggestion from God?
4.Praying Joshua 1:9
Lord, sometimes feelings of aloneness are tough to get through or ignore. Sometimes we do feel alone, thank you for such a strong word of assurance through Joshua, today. Thank you for reminding us we are not alone, ever, that you are always with us. May we take this message into our day and going forward. Amen
Going Deeper: Other places in the Bible that help us know God is with us
Devotionally Yours 