“Be anxious
for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all
comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (vv.5-7)
When trials come or disaster strikes, it's easy to feel as if
God is being negligent. When something we can't explain happens, we believe God
has let us down. But the Bible makes it very clear that this is not true. God
told Joshua that He would not leave nor forsake him. Actually, in the Hebrew
language, the negative comes first and makes the thought even stronger:
"not will I leave you" and "nor will I forsake you." The
order of these words emphasizes the fact that, no matter how difficult Joshua's circumstances might become, God would not leave and He would not forsake. He
was as committed to Joshua as He had been to Moses.
God's presence doesn't mean that things will always go smoothly.
Christians don't walk around with protective plastic bubbles surrounding them.
We experience cancer; we endure sorrow and heartache; we fail in business.
God's promise, however, is that He will continue to walk with us and be
faithful to us even in our sorrows or failures. His company will bring you
comfort that will exceed your understanding (v.7).
Be assured that as God was with Moses and Joshua, He is with you
as well.
The Truth
"I am with you always, even to the end of the age"
(Matthew 28:20)
