“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 1:9)
My wife and I can tell you stories of how this verse and a few others convinced us to leave our secular jobs and serve God full time in ministry through local and short-term missions. We heard His voice individually soon after our marriage when we pledged to serve Him as a family.
Twenty-four years later, hundreds of salvation stories, thousands of people served, enriched by dozens of cultures, and blessed beyond measure by so many friends and supporters, we can honestly say this summer . . . Do not be afraid!
We can relate to biblical accounts of struggle, doubts, trials and failures. However, we can see where God has provided time and time again. Even during the most trying of times; saying "see you later" to precious family members, threatened foreclosures, children in need, and yes . . . even suffering through Covid-19 personally, our God has provided! He has gone through fire with us and parted waters on our behalf. He has moved mountains and helped us climb others. He has shut lions' mouths and opened locked doors. He is still Almighty, Jehovah Jirah, our Rock, our Fortress, our Abba Father!
Now that we are allowed to go out and travel once again more freely, we are saying, "Here we are . . . send us!" (Isaiah 6:8) We cannot be afraid because of how God has provided in the past!
As my young student, now with the Lord would say . . . "Let's go!"
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