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Each of us is going to face some kind of challenging crisis in our lifetime. Perhaps it's serious illness in our own lives, or the death of a loved one. We've seen many calamities in the past year from floods to earthquakes that have ravaged people's lives and their possessions. If we come to that would we face such things with fear or with courage?  

Would we be anxious or go to God and His Word for power and strength to overcome such a difficulty. In Philippians 4:6 God tells us, “Be careful (anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” 

We seek God's help by prayers and supplication with thanksgiving. We stay thankful as we remember all the previous times God has been there to pick us up out of our difficulties. He has promised to always be there for us. “. . . for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5b). 

After the death of Moses, God told Joshua he was to be the leader of the children of Israel. Do you think that Joshua might have been a little bit fearful, and anxious about this awesome responsibility? God gave Joshua some encouragement. “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: . . .” (Joshua 1:5-6a). God told Joshua He would be with him, and not fail him. What a promise! 

God will surely do the same for believers today when we go to Him. God won't desert us in our time of need. The lord strengthens us and holds us up when we're emotionally and physically “drained.” “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).We should say with the Psalmist, “I will go in the strength of the Lord GOD:. . . “ (Psalm 71:16a). There's a song that says “God's strength is perfect when my strength is gone.” II Corinthians 12:9a says, “ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . ..” When we are weak He makes us strong as we call on Him. 

What is our response to difficult times we face? Do we sense God's presence or do we just get caught up in the problem. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (II Timothy 1:7). 

God lives inside us and His power is constantly available. God is adequate to handle any situation. He can take us through anything. “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.” (Joshua 1:9). “. . .  for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Hebrews 13:5b). Nobody else can say “I'll never leave you,” but God can. He is always there. He'll see us through. 

“Be strong and of good courage.”