My dearest Advent Family,
Have you ever faced a fear!? A few weekends ago, my 14-year-old son faced his fear of riding roller coasters. We spent the day at Universal Studios: Islands of Adventure theme park in Orlando, FL. My son mustarded the courage to ride “The Incredible Hulk” coaster that launches you at least 67 mph right into a zero-gravity roll…Yeah, he was more courageous than I was as I opted out! Needless to say when our family reunited, he had a blast riding it and was glad he experienced it.
But what takes him from the overwhelm of fear and even anxiety before riding the coaster to seeing a grin on his face after he walks off the ride? Deuteronomy 31:6 (NLT) says, “So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Moses is nearing the end of his life and these are some of his parting words to Joshua, who will lead the Israelites into the promised land. The word “courage” in Hebrew translates to “heart strength.” This word “courage” must be important as it is seen again in verse 7 and verse 23. Typically when I read something that is repeated in scripture, I probably should be paying close attention to it!
Moses is being upfront with Joshua as the new leader of the Israelites: this task Joshua will take on will be hard, very hard. Moses does not “sugar-coat” the hardship that Joshua and Israelites will face as they journey towards the promised land. Instead, Moses encourages them that in the midst of wanting to feel afraid, he tells them to “be strong and courageous” and they are only able to “be strong and courageous” because God is with them in that moment and more so, God has gone ahead of them. God will never leave them nor abandon them.
Shout out to a friend of Advent, Josh Good, who spoke to us yesterday and reminded us actual truths that God said. And one of the misconceptions is “trust/follow your heart.” Josh reminded us that our hearts are deceitful and therefore cannot be trusted. Josh encouraged us to trust in the Lord, love the Lord, and believe in the Lord WITH all our hearts. If we begin today to TRUST, LOVE, and BELIEVE in the Lord with all our hearts, the result will be “heart strength”, or courage.
Heavenly Father,
I praise you because You are omnipresent! You are always present! And because You are always present, You are always with me! And I hold onto Your promise that You will never leave me or abandon me! But Lord, help me with my “heart strength” so I can be strong and courageous despite the turbulence that seems to be swirling all around me. I know You alone can make me courageous in the face of fear if I begin to walk towards trusting, loving and believing in You with more than just my heart but with every fiber of my being. Help me cling to this promise today and it’s in the Mighty Name of Your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.
In His Hands,
Angel Kruse
Advent EMS Aftercare/Camp Director