January 24, 2016

“Do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

As this year continues, and we experiences the various ups and downs that life presents us, we soon discover we need more than a hopeful greeting from the people around us. Happy New Year – this greeting rings hallow the further we get into January. Happy New Year soon becomes “welcome to the same old year” in many aspects. So the words that G-d told Joshua in the text above, words G-d delivered almost 3,400 years ago, words to Joshua as he was about to lead the people into the promised land, they are words that will carry us through the entire year. “Do no be discouraged, for I will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua had a lot on his mind. Moses had just died – standing on the precipice of the new land G-d had promised so long ago. He was aware of the risk, the reward, and the expectations. It was an enormous responsibility. And so he was welcome to hearing words of encouragement from G-d. The creator of all things comes to Joshua to say “Don’t be afraid; don’t be discouraged.”

What happens in this coming year is still left for all of us to experience. We have no idea what may happen or where we might end up. But in all of the indeterminacy, we need to remember that G-d is in charge, and G-d promises to stay close: “The LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Many years later, the Lord Jesus made the same promise when he said, “I am with you always to the end of the ages.” (Matthew 28:20). That’s the reason we can wish each other a “Happy New Year!” all year long.

Pastor Dave