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Across the Pastor’s Desk by George Marin

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9 NLT.

In my quiet time recently, I came across this beautiful Irish Proverb, “If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes.”

Sometimes, in life, there are some stony paths that seem to be completely unavoidable. They could manifest themselves in the physical, spiritual, emotional, relational or financial realms of our life experiences.

Most likely, you as a reader have experienced one or more of these today. Along these difficult paths, we can become fearful and discouraged.

God’s man, Joshua, was staring down perhaps the rockiest road he had ever seen, and God was not letting him off the hook of leadership, obedience and total dependence on him. Thankfully, Joshua’s difficult road was not one that would have to be traversed alone. God, in his command to Joshua, inserted a very powerful promise, “For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

It’s obvious that the command of God, accompanied by his promise, was enough to spur Joshua to action, because he rose to the occasion and led God’s people ahead into the promised land. God did, in fact, go with Joshua and his people wherever they went.

Maybe today you need strong shoes. I’m praying that God supplies those for you. Maybe today you need a sign from God to go ahead and travel this stony path. I’m praying that he will show you how to proceed. Maybe today you need to read a promise from his word. So here is one:

“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.” — Philippians 4:19.

If you are staring down a difficult road, may God give you strong shoes. May he strengthen your heart today. May he help you to overcome every fear, and may he equip you with good courage.

You are in his mighty and capable hands.

Fear not. I love you — I’m in your corner!

George Marin is a pastor at Grace Christian Church in Albert Lea.