Do you ever make up horrible movies in your mind about getting in fatal car accidents or losing your kids at the zoo? I do. I call these negative mental movies “WorryFlix.” For years, I wondered why the “Just pray about it” advice did not work for me. For a long time, I felt like an immature Christian because I loved God, and yet, I struggled deeply with fear and uncertainty.

At the beginning of Joshua 1, Moses’ former assistant, Joshua, was now God’s people’s spiritual and military leader. Not only that, but Joshua knew that he’d be leading his army into battle against the thirty-one kingdoms of Canaan.

While the scriptural text doesn’t give insight into Joshua’s thoughts, God’s instructions to Joshua provide powerful insight into a promise of victory in the face of uncertainty and fear.

This exact promise is one that you can also hold onto today.

“No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.” Joshua 1:5

Throughout the book of Joshua and the battles that the Israelites faced, God constantly reassured Joshua and the Israelites that they never fought alone. It didn’t matter if Joshua anticipated the struggle or was shocked; God was steady and sovereign.

In more than one instance, Joshua made a mistake, and the Israelites were defeated in battle, yet, God never abandoned Joshua and the Israelites.

The good news is that God has made the same promise to us, too.

You can experience God’s victory over the uncertainty or fears in your life when you remember that God is with you AND for you, no matter what you are facing. You don’t have to be afraid. God has promised that He will not fail or abandon you.

*For deeper reflection, listen to Joshua 1.