Leave the Light On
Joshua1:9d ... for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
This devo marks the last in the series of our theme verse for AKC25. Unpacking this short but powerful verse has been so good for the soul. Joshua is an incredible example for us to follow. Being mentored by Moses, he knew the responsibility that awaited him. Having been born in Egypt, he witnessed first hand the miracles that took place for their fight for freedom. He saw the pillars of cloud and fire lead them. He saw an army vanish before his very eyes when the sea wall closed in. But he wasn’t just chosen because of the things he witnessed. It was his faith in God that stood out. His willingness to be taught was noticed. Joshua 11:15 says it best: ”As the Lord commanded Moses his servant, so Moses commanded Joshua, and Joshua did it.” Joshua was a faithful servant!
Being a faithful servant is hard. Even those with the deepest faith still have to make a daily choice to choose God’s path over any other. One of the many blessings of witnessing a child’s faith journey is hearing the incredible questions they ask. Their honest, no fear of embarrassment, heartfelt questions should be replicated by us adults. And that’s where Joshua’s life story becomes even more powerful to read. He was brave when others were not… he and Caleb were in the minority when they shared the good news of land of Canaan. He confidently led the Israelites through yet another parting of water. And lets not forget that the entire city walls of Jericho fell down with the blasts of trumpets. Joshua’s faith was steadfast!
Truly, these are the stories movies should be made of. But they aren’t Hollywood movies. It really happened and they happened for one reason only: Joshua1:9 ... for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
As a young child, I remember being so afraid of my basement. Its unfinished state made it the perfect place for my brothers to play hockey. But for me to go down there? Never. It was dark and cold and held so many corners that were the perfect hiding spot for all the things my imagination could hold. The only time I wasn’t afraid was when I turned the light on. That light switch was at the top of the stairs and turning that on meant not one single step held any darkness. The light brought be comfort because I could see the way.
My friends, the same is true for our own faith journey. When we cling to the promise that God will be with you wherever you go, there is no darkness that can overtake us. There are no shadows that can play tricks with our minds. But we have to make the choice to ‘leave the light on’. We have to make the choice to firmly believe that the God who led Joshua is the very God who leads us today. It is not easy to be strong and courageous. It is not easy to stand for truth. It is not easy to juggle all the things that are thrown at us on a daily basis.
No, it is not easy. And there are times when you truly might feel like you’re on your own. But you are never alone. Let us embrace a childlike faith where we truly believe God can and does all. Let us cling to the promise that we are His children! And let us BOLDLY claim that our God is with us wherever we go.
With that as the very foundation in all we say and do, the kingdom of God will continue to be built and to Him be all the honour and glory.