Be Not Discouraged!

The LORD Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. ~Deuteronomy 31:8

Moses was 120 years old when, after spending forty years wandering in the wilderness as a punishment for their not trusting in God, the nation of Israel was about to enter  Canaan, the land promised to Abraham and to his descendants by God. Moses was not going to be leading the people into the new land, but was instead instructing them to follow Joshua. These people of Israel had never known a leader besides Moses. It was now their call and duty to follow a new leader into a dangerous and unknown land trusting only in God and to step out across the Jordan river in faith. They were afraid, but Moses reminded them that though their road ahead was difficult and may at times seem impossible, God Himself was going before them and was with them.

This was actually the second time the nation of Israel had stood next to the Jordan river about to enter the land promised to them by God. The reason that the Israelites had wandered in the desert for forty years was because the first time that they were given the opportunity to enter the promised land they refused to trust God and instead shrunk back in fear.

There are two commands that we are given in this passage. The first is to not be afraid and the second is to not be discouraged. As we walk our Christian path to the land promised to us by God there will come both challenges that frighten us as well as long periods where we fall into discouragement and doubt. There will be times that we will be called to stand up, strap on our armor, and in trust and faith, do what seems impossible, and there will be times we will be led through a long and hot desert where we are tired, fail to see the point, and just want to quit.

These commands to not fear in the face of impossible circumstances and to not be discouraged when we feel beaten and can't see the path ahead do not stand on their own. We aren't called to show courage and faithfulness through our own finite and pitiful power. These commands are prefaced with the most blessed promise and truth. The LORD Himself goes before and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Are you feeling fearful of something that God has called you to do or feeling discouraged and tired? Remember that God Himself is always with you. It is He that gives you strength if you will simply call on His name. While we are here on this earth we are and will be called to face difficulties, but the long road that we travel leads us to the promised land of God. Be of good cheer. Your God is with you.

So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. ~Hebrews 10:35-36 

(photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnome673/91541635/)