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. Deuteronomy 31:8

Doing something that is different and very dangerous can be very scary for someone to attempt. While doing a difficult and dangerous thing one can also get discouraged if it does not move along fast enough.

Fear and discouragement hold many people back from trying to do something new. Often this is because they are alone and do not want to be harmed or to fail. There is no one to strengthen or encourage them.

Moses told Joshua that God would go before him and be with him; that God would never leave him, so he should not be afraid or discouraged.

The Israelites were getting ready to go into a new land and physically fight against the enemies to destroy them and take over the land. Very few people today will ever have to go into a land to destroy the enemy. Only the few in the military will have that experience.

However, every person, who is a believer, will have to go in and take some spiritual land. This may be land in one’s own life, or land in the lives of other people.

The world, under the influence of Satan, is out to steal, kill and destroy all mankind. Greed and pride are used to lure people into sin and death and away from God. They will fight against believers with whatever it takes.

Many believers back down from the fight out of fear. Others will start the fight, then quit out of discouragement.

Although the battle is fierce and dangerous, the believer must know that God is with him and goes before him to be a witness and draw people from the snares of death. He does not have to fear. He should be encouraged that God is with Him all the way.

In your life you will have many battles that need to be fought. Some will be against sin and temptation in your life. Other battles will be for the souls of other people around you.

The world will do what it can to stop you and discourage you in the battle. Being wounded will occur and the enemy will appear large and undefeatable, but God is with you.

Do not give in to fear or discouragement, but trust God as you fight this war.

Today I pray that you will know Jesus as your Lord and Savior; that you will know God’s presence in your life; that God will strengthen you to remove all fear; that you will be encouraged with God’s presence; and that you will be His witness in this world.