Hey guys.
It’s a little after midnight and I just worked for 17 hours straight. But believe it or not, I’m OK with that. You know, life was easier when I didn’t worry so much. I remember when I was a young teenager (13/14?) I had a moment when I realized I was happy, and had been happy for ~3 years. Isn’t that wonderful? I know it had to do with my church at the time. My youth group. My friends. I honestly didn’t make that connection until now, but I’m sure that’s why I had such a blessed time.
On a side note:
Tomorrow I’m going salsa dancing.
I. Can’t. Wait.
I’m still in love with dancing. I started almost 28 weeks ago. That’s 7 months. Salsa, Bachata y yo have been in a relationship for almost 7 months. I should take myself out. To dinner. At chick-fil-A. Okay, I admit it; I was going to do that anyway. Go to Chick-Fil-A I mean; not take myself out. Though I suppose whenever someone goes to a fast food joint alone they’re technically “taking themselves out”.
Sigh. Tired. 17 hour work-day will do that to ya I guess! But for reals guys, I’m really not phased??!!
It’s because life is good, and God is good. He has given me energy, positivity, and great faith. All things that were much needed for today. Now yesterday, to all you technical folks — hey, I’m one of them, I can say that. 😀
This post is for encouragement purposes.
“The LORD said to Joshua,
“Do not be afraid of them,
because by this time tomorrow
I will hand all of them, slain,
over to Israel. “
Joshua 11:6
Can we just ponder this verse for a second. Yes, I did chop off the part about killing the horses and burning the chariots. That wasn’t the focus I was going for. The focus is this:
The Lord tells Joshua
“do not be afraid”
because “by this time tomorrow”
I will
hand all of them over to Israel
slain.
So let’s break this verse down, so we can see how encouraging it really is.
- “The Lord tells Joshua” is encouraging because we have a God who speaks directly to us. He is a personal God. He is omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent… yet He speaks one-on-one to each of His children….
- “do not be afraid” is encouraging because our God knows when we are afraid, and He seeks to console us. He is the Lord who comforts, and He is gentle and kind. He is reassuring and understanding of our fears and doubts and trials, and wants us to know that we are safe.
- “because by this time tomorrow” is encouraging because God knows the future. He alone sees all of our days and knows exactly what’s going to happen. He goes before us and paves the way. He promises to protect us and keep us from harm’s way if we abide in Him. No battle or trial will last forever, and God helps us keep perspective on getting through the trial by telling us it will all be over soon.
- “I will” is encouraging because it tells us that it’s the Lord God’s will to help His children. He is our Father, and He takes care of us. He is looking out for Joshua and His children and is reassuring them that He, God Himself, will act, by “this time tomorrow”.
- “hand all of them over to Israel” is encouraging because the enemies of Joshua and the Israelites aren’t so big and bad that they can take on the holy God of the universe. Nope. They don’t stand a chance against our God. Enemies of God and His children can never win. Never.
- “slain” is encouraging because we know that God is the one who slays our enemies. Not us. Not by our hand. Not by our power. GOD slays our enemies. GOD does the hard, dirty work for us. GOD and God alone chooses to fight for His people.
Let’s recap: God speaks to us. He speaks to us and prays for us personally. He is comforting and understanding. He alone has the eternal vision. It is His will to help His children. It is His will to help His children. He slays the enemy and enemies.
I started this post last night but fell asleep before I finished it. So real quick, the ending I want to tack on ties the whole post together.
Yesterday I worked for 17 hours.
I was worried about how it was going to go.
I was worried about the traveling I would do with my client and her husband and definitely asked a lot of people for prayer.
And God came through.
And He reminded me of the above verse before the day arrived.
“By this time tomorrow…..” gave me such peace. The entire verse gives me such hope. I need never fear for my God is with me. He goes before me and behind me, and hems me in. He makes a way for me and is a lamp unto my feet. He equips me for the task with energy and stamina. He encourages me throughout each day with His sweet Spirit. He fights my battles for me and makes me victorious.
It’s a promise, folks. In the end, we are victorious. Victorious living is one victorious day at a time. And we have victory in Jesus, our Savior, forever.
Oh victory in Jesus (victory in Jesus),
my Savior (my Savior) forever (forever)
He sought me and He bought me
with His redeeming blood (bought me with His blood)
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him
and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory
beneath the cleansing flood
The day went so smoothly yesterday. He reminded me that it would before it arrived, He encouraged me throughout the very day, and I was able to rejoice before, during, and after, knowing my God was with me.
<3 <3 <3
V