Be Strong and Courageous

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

My granddaughter, Kenlee, started Kindergarten this year. It is so much fun watching children grow but it seems that some of their innocence fades when they start school. I know school is necessary and we all grow up. I guess facing the world at such a young age can bring about different responses from children. When faced with adversity or fear, they will respond with what tools we have given them. Some children are never given ways to handle hard situations. Early in life, our children need tools to fight the devil and his schemes. Satan comes to kill, steal and destroy. That means our kids first and foremost. I pray that the children in our care at the Sanctuary of Hope will know how to call on the God that provide, the God that cares and the God of all comfort.

Kenlee saw me working on the devotion book. She wanted to know is she could write a devotion. Of course! This is what she said:

If there is a bully at school, do not be scared of them. Jesus is there to help you. He will help you by keeping you safe. Kind words are like honey to the soul. That means if you say something nice to someone they will say something nice back. They might someday become your friend. If they aren’t kind back don’t be mean or cry.

It was then that she broke out in song. A song that we learned in children’s church that quotes Joshua 1:9. It goes like this:

Have I not commanded you be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go, wherever you go!

It doesn’t matter if you are in Kindergarten, College, the work world or retired. “Jesus is there to help you.”

Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. Psalm 55:22