Morning Devotional 052026 Fear Not, God is With Us

Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room

May 20, 2026

Joshua 1:1-9

1 After Moses the LORD’s servant died, the LORD spoke to Joshua, Nun’s son. He had been Moses’ helper. 2 “My servant Moses is dead. Now get ready to cross over the Jordan with this entire people to the land that I am going to give to the Israelites. 3 I am giving you every place where you set foot, exactly as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will stretch from the desert and the Lebanon as far as the great Euphrates River, including all Hittite land, up to the Mediterranean Sea on the west. 5 No one will be able to stand up against you during your lifetime. I will be with you in the same way I was with Moses. I won’t desert you or leave you. 6 Be brave and strong, because you are the one who will help this people take possession of the land, which I pledged to give to their ancestors. 7 “Be very brave and strong as you carefully obey all of the Instruction that Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t deviate even a bit from it, either to the right or left. Then you will have success wherever you go. 8 Never stop speaking about this Instruction scroll. Recite it day and night so you can carefully obey everything written in it. Then you will accomplish your objectives and you will succeed. 9 I’ve commanded you to be brave and strong, haven’t I? Don’t be alarmed or terrified, because the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” 

Good Morning! God says, “I won’t desert or leave you.”

When Moses died, Joshua, Moses’ helper, was given the task to lead God’s children across the Jordan River and into the promised land. Once there, it would fall upon his shoulders to facilitate the building of a new community. 

Joshua knew, as did God, that this would not be easy. God reminded him that all he needed to do the job was to read, speak, and obey the words written in the Instruction scroll (the Bible). Because God chose him, Joshua would be given everything he needed to be a leader. 

Sometimes, we find ourselves in the unlikely position of a leader. Whether our time of leadership is short or long, God will be with us. When we question our ability to do as called, be brave and strong because God will shower us with blessings when we work to do God’s will. 

God of Love, you bless us abundantly! You see great things within us even when we feel unsure. Help us let go of our fear and trust you. Thank you. We love you. In Christ’s name we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day: Look to the wisdom in God’s word to guide your path. 

Fear not, God is with us!  Pastor Liz