Day 9: Devotion

Joshua 1:8—9 (ESV)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Reflection

Soon the 2025-2026 school year will begin.  Maybe you have just moved to our area, and everything is new, and fear has crept in.  Maybe your children are starting a new school and instead of being excited with fresh energy, they find fear and anxiety about the unknown.  

Fear keeps us from doing what God has called us to do.  F E A R stands for false evidence appearing real.  When we look at Joshua 1: 8-9 it reminds us that God knows fear is a very real emotion.  God understood Joshua being afraid, but He called Joshua to not give in to his fear, to be courageous and to trust Him.  For me, I was overwhelmed with fear when my son had a very short time to live. I had already claimed this very scripture several months before and had no idea it would become my lifeline and testimony.  I wore this scripture on my wrist and around my neck.  We have a choice who or what we give the power in our lives over to.  Fear is a natural response, so we must lean into the Word of God daily.  God is not just suggesting we trust Him, He is commanding us to trust that He IS with us and WILL lead us.  Our fears will turn into joyful anticipation of what God will do and what He will accomplish through our lives. 

Food for Thought

• When have you experienced the emotion of fear? Did you take that fear to God?
• What difference did praying about your fear and turning it over to God make?

Prayer

Gracious Lord, thank you for being merciful and understanding our human emotions. We are created in your image, and You do not lead in fear. Thank you for the Holy Spirit being near and providing direction and comfort when we find emotions of any kind that overtake our mind. Please be with us as we start the new academic year and provide peace, joy, and safety for our children and their teachers. May we find joy as we anticipate what you will do in our lives. Amen!

Submitted by Rhonda Silver