“Keep Standing”
By Rev. Everett R. Kimble, Sr.
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9, NLT).
A long time ago I used to love this show that came on television called “The Lone Ranger.” It was about a Texas Ranger going around fighting for justice wearing a mask. As the story goes, a posse of six Texas Rangers was pursuing a band of outlaws, and they were ambushed in a canyon. All were killed, but one lone survivor. After a long recovery, the survivor is determined to track down, catch, and imprison the perpetrators. So, to protect his identity and honor the fallen Rangers he crafts a mask with material from the vest of his brother, who was one of the slain Rangers and sets off as “The Lone Ranger” to finish the job they all started together.
Many of us can relate, in some way, to the plight of the “Lone Ranger.” We have had experiences that make us feel as though we have been ambushed by the world and those closest to us. Family members prove to not be who we thought they were, and in times of distress some of our best friends have deserted us. When we needed them the most, our Christian brothers and sisters were not willing to stand with us, and because of it we have isolated ourselves and decided that we are going to make a go of it alone.
On the surface that sounds bold and strong, but the problem is God has not called you to be a “Lone Ranger.” He did not create you to live on your own or in isolation from the world around you. Even when it feels like the world is out to get you, God expects you to hang in there knowing that He is always with you. Not only that, He has placed faithful people along your path to help all along the way.
Joshua must have been feeling ambushed and broken after the death of Moses. He now faced the tremendous task of taking up where Moses had left off and judging from the tone of this passage, he was stressed. But God assured Joshua just as He assures you today, that He would be there wherever he went.
When we look back at the story of the “Lone Ranger” we see that even when he was too broken and beat up to realize it, people were there taking care of him. Right now, though you may not be able to see it, God is taking care of you, and you are not alone.
And here is your encouragement for today. When you are standing on the promises of God you may feel as if you are standing all by yourself, but you are not alone. Keep standing, help is on the way!
“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Have a blessed, encouraging and enlightened Friday!
