Reasons to Be Bold and Not Give Up

“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.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)

That promise was not made to you, it was made to Joshua as the mantle of leadership was laid on him as the death of Moses neared. Though not made to you, it is germane in the life of all doing God’s will. It is a living principle regarding God working in the lives of His people. If that is true, and it is, let’s explore how it is applicable in your life. 

First consider what God does in advance of what we must resultantly be cause of and not do.

Going before us means God leads His people. Always search for and be sure what you are doing is of the Lord. The provisions are based on following His leadership. If following His leadership, why would He not aid in accomplishing it. Logically He does.

In doing so He is “with us,” Don’t act like He is with you, act because He is with you. This is the provision of friendship.

If you are doing His will, he will stay with you, He will not cop out on you. In challenging times of resistance in opposition to His will be bold, He has not abandoned you. It is at those times His presence is most often felt most realized.

He will not forsake you. He will not walk out on you. Inevitably there are times you may feel He has, He hasn’t. Facts are fixed. Feelings are fickle. 

Now these provisions make some very important reactions  possible.

Do not fear. Waver? Maybe momentarily. If so, drawing on the provisions noted he was emboldened. When facing the farmable walls of Jericho, in confronting the coalition of armies gathered against him, and in dealing with the complexities of numerous other opposition he may well have vacillated, taken a deep breath, reflected on the fact God was leading him, was with him, had not left him nor forsake him …. and charged into the battle.

Don’t be dismayed. A dictionary defines dismay as “to break down the courage  completely, as by sudden danger or trouble; be dishearten thoroughly; to be surprised in such a manner as to disillusion.” In summary, to not be dismayed means don’t quit, don’t give up. Persistence is often the purchase price of success, push on.

These provisions are yours if you are doing His will. That is true whether you are undertaking a big project or going about your obligatory daily responsibilities. If you are in His will these provisions are relevant. Press on, be of good courage. Reflect, “… 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.”