Mike Walsh

The children of Israel went through many trials and times of doubt from the very beginning of their existence as a nation. They had many times where they wondered if God was even there beside them. God always proved himself faithful to his chosen people. Moses was accused of bringing them out into the desert to die as they stood at the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was bearing down on them. We know the story that the sea stood up and made a wall for the Israelites to walk through and we read in Exodus that the Egyptian army was drowned in the depths of the sea. God has always been faithful to his people!

In the book of Joshua as God’s people were finally preparing to enter the land that he had given to them, he gave them this charge:

“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; 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 terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,” Joshua 1:8-9.

God was reminding them (and us) that we must pay attention to what he has commanded us to do. God knew that there were spiritual and natural consequences for not following his commands. God intended for his people to be people of his word, to follow the things he said to do. Years later, after many trials and learning to trust God, the Israelites were preparing to go into the land of Canaan. God wanted to remind them one more time that if they will follow him, their way will be blessed. One of the natural benefits of following their God was that they would not have to be afraid, because they could know that he would be with them wherever they went. This promise is still true for us today as the people of God.  

We are at a time in this nation where we are in territory that most of us have never seen or experienced. There is a huge divide amongst people. There is a lot of fear amongst God’s people. I have heard the same statement over and over from people. I have heard people say, “If we don’t win this election, we’re done,” people have said, “We will cease to exist as a nation.”  

I just want to remind us that God never once needed anyone in political office in order for him to be with us and to help us. I just want to remind us today that no matter what happens this November, God is on the throne and he will be with us and he will help us. Let us not be people of fear, but people of faith. Let us keep God’s word at the very forefront of our lives, let’s commit ourselves to obeying his word and keeping him closer to us than ever before! We can be people of confidence!  

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go,”  Joshua 1:9.

(Mike Walsh is the pastor at Glad Tidings Assembly of God.)