The Lord Is with You Always

In Deuteronomy 3:26-27, Moses relates to the people why he was forbidden to cross over the Jordan into the Promised Land. The Lord then said to Moses, "But command Joshua, and encourage him and strengthen him; for he shall go over before this people, and he shall cause them to inherit the land which you will see" (v. 28).

Now, in Deuteronomy 31:1-8, we pick up the story of the commissioning of Joshua to take over as the leader of the people of Israel in Moses sted, as the people prepared to cross the Jordan. Moses began by reminding the people of Israel that the Lord had forbidden him from crossing the Jordan (vv. 1-2). He told them, "The LORD your God Himself crosses over before you; He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua himself crosses over before you, just as the LORD has said" (v. 3). He reminded them of how in times past the Lord went ahead of them and fought their battles for them, giving them victory over their enemies (v. 4). Now was no different. No foe was too great for the Lord God. They were to simply follow Him (v. 5).

That brings us to the main part of our text for today's Bible Insight: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" (v. 6). Moses told the people of Israel not only to be obedient (v. 5) but to be fearless (v. 6). He said, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified" (v. 6a, NIV). How could this be? Note the rest of this verse: "for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" (v. 6b).

Then Moses called Joshua before the people and commissioned him, telling him essentially the same thing he told Israel: "Be strong and of good courage, for you must go with this people to the land which the LORD has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you shall cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed" (vv. 7-8).

The message is the same: You can be obedient (v. 5) and fearless (v. 6a) because the Lord is always with you (v. 6b). He goes before you into every situation as your Commander in Chief. He is the Divine Warrior who fights for you. "He will not leave you nor forsake you" (vv. 6b, 8b). His promise to you is the same as it was to Israel and Joshua so long ago. He is with you, He leads you, and He fights for you in every situation in which you find yourself. He always has fought for you since the day you trusted Him as your Lord and Savior, and He always will. Just trust Him. Amen.

How Should We Then Live?

First Corinthians was written as a form of rebuke and correction. The first fourteen chapters deal with errant behavior in the church, while the fifteenth chapter deals with errant doctrine. Paul concludes with a five-fold exhortation to the church as to how they should live their lives going forward: "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14).

First, "Watch" (v. 13a), or "Be on the alert" (NASB), or "Be on your guard" (NIV). The Greek word in the text here could be translated, "be diligent." It means to always be awake and watchful as to how you live. Be sure to carry out the will of God in your life with due diligence. Be on guard not to fall back into your old life. Live each day as the "new creation" (2 Cor. 5:17) that you are in Jesus.

Second, "stand fast in the faith" (1 Cor. 16:13b), or "stand firm in the faith" (NASB, NIV). The Corinthians seemed to be quite susceptible to false teachers: "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ" (2 Cor. 11:3). So the exhortation to "stand firm in the faith" (1 Cor. 16:13b) was a timely reminder: "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor. 15:58).

Third, "be brave" (1 Cor. 16:13c), or "be courageous" (NIV), or "act like men" (NASB). The idea here is that of living a mature Christian life, which is a powerful life. It could be referred to as having a mature courage. In other words, in your Christian walk "be brave" (v. 13c), or "act like men" (NASB). Men are mature, with a sense of control, confidence, and courage. Those traits should characterize your life in Christ.

Fourth, "be strong" (v. 13d). Both the NASB and the NIV translate this Greek word exactly the same—"be strong." Throughout the New Testament, this Greek word often refers to inner, spiritual growth. The verb is in the passive voice, literally meaning "be strengthened." However, we can't strengthen ourselves; that is the Lord's work. It is up to us to submit ourselves to Him so that He can strengthen us.

Fifth, "Let all that you do be done with love" (v. 14, NKJV, NASB), or "Do everything in love" (NIV). In other words, in all you do be loving. Love keeps things in balance. Love has a way of softening us. It keeps us gentle and considerate, just like Jesus. Like spiritual strength, love comes from Jesus. "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and every one who loves is born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). We can love one another "because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). Amen.

Thankful Prayer

In Philippians 4, Paul explains how to overcome anxiety and worry. Joy and gentleness (vv. 4-5a), along with the anticipation of the imminent return of Christ (v. 5b), should chase away any anxiety or worry you may be experiencing. Paul says directly, "Be anxious for nothing" (v. 6a), or "Do not be anxious about anything" (NIV).

Paul is not calling us to live a carefree life. Not at all! To be caring and concerned are good, biblical traits. To worry, however, is something all together different. Worry robs us of our trust in and reliance on God. Paul cared for the people he ministered to: "besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2 Cor. 11:28). He cared for them, but he did not allow that care to become worry.

Instead of becoming anxious and giving in to worry, Paul encourages the Philippians to pray. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Phil. 4:6). Godly people react to trials by taking it all to God in thankful prayer.

There are three words used here to describe prayer—three synonyms. The first, "prayer," refers to our specific approach to God in presenting our needs. The second, "petition," refers to requesting an answer to a specific need. And the third, "requests," refers to definite and specific things asked for. The assumption of the text is that believers, when they have a need, will turn to God in prayer, "with thanksgiving" (v. 6b).

Paul concludes: "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7). When you approach God in prayer in this manner, and with a thankful heart, God hears and answers. He brings His peace, "the peace of God" (v. 7a), a peace "which transcends all understanding" (v. 7b), which is beyond our ability to comprehend, into our lives. He gives us that inner tranquility, that inner calmness of a believer's close walk with God.

God's peace will "guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (v. 7c). "Guard" (v. 7c) is a military term meaning "to protect or garrison by guarding." Like soldiers assigned to watch over a certain area, God's peace garrisons the "hearts and... minds" (v. 7c), that is, the emotions and thoughts, of God's children (Lightner, R. P. [1985], Philippians. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck [Eds.], The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures [Vol. 2, 664], Wheaton, IL: Victor Books).

When you stop worrying and start praying with a thankful heart in the midst of troubles, God will watch over you and give you His peace. You can always trust in Him. Amen.