It’s not a coincidence.

This is how it works when you and I are soaking in God’s Word everyday.

I am reading Deuteronomy 31 today and it’s a “God-incidence” that various combinations of the the words, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The Lord your God will be with you’ are repeated 3 times in one chapter. The Israelites were getting ready to enter the Promised Land which is already filled with large armies of men who aren’t going to give it up their land easily. It was going to be a long-term challenge that would require strength and courage.

First, Moses spoke to all the Israelites and said,” Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.” vs 6.

Then, Moses summoned Joshua whom God had picked to be the next leader of his people and said to him in front of all the people, ” 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 or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” vs 7-8.

Finally, God said to Joshua , “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land I promised them on oath, and I myself will be with you.” vs 23.

I’m hearing you, God. I’ve got my own ‘long-term challenge’ starting up and I’m going to need a lot of strength and courage from God. I have been writing this blog for over 10 years and it has been a big blessing in my life. Almost 6 years ago my world blew up when my son, David Glasser, who was a Phoenix Police Officer, was killed in the line of duty. About 6 months after his death, God told me to start another blog about the painful, uphill battle of picking up my broken heart and moving forward after losing a child – My Family Bleeds Blue.com.

Since then, many people have told me that I should write a book about this tough, tough road of grief and loss that I am on. My reply has always been that God told me to write the blog, I’m going to wait until he tells me to write the book. Well, he did that last week. It’s time for a book.

It’s a huge project. A long-term challenge. You can add me to your prayer list if you’d like.

I’m not the only one that God has given big challenges. There is a reason why you are reading this today. It’s a God-incidence. What big issues or projects are you facing in your life? Are there huge problems where you need strength and courage from God?

God is saying to me and to you –

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid. The Lord your God will be with you.

Amen