I had the privilege a couple of days ago to give a short devotional to the group that is here visiting. What I spoke about in the devotion was Joshua chapter 1 and how Joshua was beginning a new chapter in his life. For those of you who don’t remember the story, the Lord instructed Joshua, since Moses had passed away, that the children of Israel would now be looking to him to lead them into the promised land. That enormous task brought about all sorts of emotions and fears, undoubtedly, since God told him three separate times to “be strong and of good courage.” I talked with the group about how to face their fears and how they too were going to need to be strong to go through life and be used of God. 

Though I must say, the challenge to be strong is not much of a help when you feel terribly weak, and when the situation is bigger than you are. If you think about it,  the words “be strong and of good courage” are just another challenge to live up to. They don’t really tell you how to do that? They don’t add comfort to any situation. But what does, and what I shared with the guys, is the only way to do that is to remember the promise God gave to Joshua right before he told him to be strong. God told Joshua “as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee:” That was where Joshua would receive the  comfort. That is what would give him the courage and strength he needed to go through any situation. The presence of the omnipotent, omniscient, sovereign God was going to be with Him every step of the way.

Well, today I am made to eat my words. I have to trust in that same God’s sovereign plan over my life and those around me. My wife and I began a new chapter last night. At 7:20 last night Bekah gave birth to Ezekiel Michael Hall. He weighed just over 2 pound. Though he was too small to make it physically here on earth, he was way too big to ever be forgotten. I must say, some chapters in life you love, others are confusing and you wouldn’t wish on your worst enemy.

I honestly don’t know how people handle death without the hope that comes through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. We take comfort in the fact that our God is still with us, that He has never left us nor forsaken us. Our hope and peace comes from Jesus. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Thanks for your prayers!