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Bible Passage: Joshua 1:9 and 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Last night, I went into my son’s room to pray for him. He was sound asleep but I accidentally woke him to the point where he said, “Daddy you were right near the gorilla.” My son was dreaming. He can’t remember that dream. But I like to interpret it as I was such a strong courageous guy that I could get right in there next to the Gorilla. I was given an extra bit of strength and courage in my son’s dream, or so I like to think.
After reflecting on that for a while, I began to think about the strength God personally gives each of us. A little wisdom from the Old and New Testaments is in order. God tells Joshua in Joshua 1:9, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” Those are some encouraging words. Knowing that God is with us wherever we go, through all of our difficult times, can be quite a calming influence in our souls. Paul says something similar in 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17, “May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loves us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.” There is no doubt about it, God strengthens and encourages us.
I don’t have to wait until the next time my son excitedly dreams, that I’m in there right next to the Gorilla, for me to have strength and courage. In his dream, I may have been the main course. Nevertheless, I prefer to see myself as a strong gorilla tamer or courageous zookeeper. I am blessed that I can simply have that kind of strength and courage given to me by God. We all can!
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