Be strong and courageous. In the month prior to 2013, I had a vision. In that vision, God revealed His plan for my family. Things were about to change in a big way. I needed to be strong and courageous. I can only do that through the power and strength of God in Christ Jesus and His Spirit. This is the introduction to Be Strong and Courageous.
Standing on a hill overlooking the deep clear vista I begin to feel the presence of others around me. I clearly see my family. I see my daughter and her husband a little way off on my right. They also are taking in the beautiful view. I feel my husband on my left. He stands tall and determined beside me. I can feel the energy of my youngest daughter behind me and my son to her left.
As we all stand there a voice comes from the clouds around us. “Behold your future.”
I strain my eyes to see clearly but it still is hazy to my eyes. I see the year stretched out before me but I cannot tell what will be happening or where I will go.
Instead, I feel peace permeate my being. Hope is welling up inside of me. God is here. He is all around me. He is with me. He is with my family. I can’t see what will happen tomorrow. I don’t know about next month. But I do know without a doubt that he will walk beside me every step of the way. He will guide me. He will show me the way to walk.
The voice speaks again, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Introduction to the Vision – Be Strong and Courageous
I recognized the scripture from Joshua. I remember the hope and the command that it gave him. He was now the leader of all of Israel and he was to lead them into the promised land.
God is sending me and my family off into our promised land. It may not be easy. It may not be entirely safe. It may not seem to be what is best for us. But the paths we walk this year will guide us closer to Him and closer to each other.
Again the echo of the voice, “I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage! Don’t be timid; don’t get discouraged. God, your God, is with you every step you take.”
We all look at each other. We nod our heads in agreement. We take a step forward into the new year.
Take a step forward into the future
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ‘Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. No one will be able to stand 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. Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it.
Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you?
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 1:1-9
