Today is June 20.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you. 
  
Take a moment and quiet yourself. Take a deep breath. Welcome God’s presence. And say, “Come Holy Spirit.”   
  
Today’s reading is from the Deuteronomy, chapter 31. 

Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”  

Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 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.  

When someone tells me to NOT be afraid or terrified, I usually shift right into fear & terror! I take that as a cue that whatever I’m getting myself into, it’s going to be frightening... going to stir up my anxiety with ‘what if’s’. Is there an area of your life right now that is making you feel afraid?  
  
Imagine being Joshua. Moses summons you in front of all the people. You’re watching Moses – this old, faithful leader who you trust. And you’re listening to the stirring of people whispering: “Joshua? He’s going to lead us now?” Your heart is pounding. Moses is telling you to be strong and courageous, which until this very moment, you thought you were. But now your anxious thoughts are spinning, your body is coursing with adrenaline, and your hands are trembling. Listen again, imagining Joshua’s experience in the scene.  
  
Is God calling you toward something that feels too big? Too difficult? Too impossible? Too complicated? As we end, consider that God always provides for what he invites us into. Perhaps you want to make this your prayer today: he will never leave me, or forsake me.... 
 
Music: Breathe In, Sing Out - Vineyard Worship: (YouTube)