"Be Strong and Courageous"

I sat down absently before my computer this evening, conscious of a more profound fear than any I'd yet experienced. Not even the veritable pronouncement of Multiple Sclerosis had engendered such a hold of fear in my heart. I think I know now what it means to be "sore afraid."

A colleague had appended these words onto a work-related email, which happened to be the first unopened item in my inbox:

I pray that today you are feeling strong and courageous.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).

"Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go" (Joshua 1:7).

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).

"Then you will prosper if you are careful to observe the statutes and the rules that the Lord commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Fear not; do not be dismayed" (1 Chronicles 22:13).

"Be strong and courageous and do it. Do not be afraid and do not be dismayed, for the Lord God, even my God, is with you. He will not leave you or forsake you, until all the work for the service of the house of the Lord is finished" (1 Chronicles 28:20).

I wish I could say that my fear immediately dissipated when I read these Scriptures, but it didn't. Yet the tears that streamed down my face in the presence of the Word were of a different composition than the ones that had gone before. These were not tears of pure fear, but were mingled now with faith and hope and relief. There is service in the house of the Lord for me to do! And the Lord himself will be with me as I carry out my part.

I will be strong and courageous. The Lord himself is fighting for me!