With no trace of nerves, twenty-one-year-old Esther sang a beautiful solo to superstars Sir Tom Jones, Olly Murs, will.i.am and Anne-Marie for The Voice UK. Her audition was successful, and she went forward on Tom Jones’ team for the next stage of the televised competition. Her talent was obvious, but what the judges didn’t know was that for years she had struggled with such severe anxiety that it made her vomit. Though she didn’t win the competition, being able to audition in front of her musical heroes was already a triumph.
Two things helped Esther. First, she sought medical treatment. Second, she found peace through the book of Joshua. Joshua had plenty to be anxious about before leading the Israelites into the promised land. Formerly slaves, this generation had wandered for years and had no military training, yet they would face a literal battle. In this context, God tells Joshua to “Be strong and courageous” (Joshua 1:6), and repeats it like a mantra (vv. 7, 9). How can Joshua have courage, despite the circumstances? Because God promises, “[I] will be with you wherever you go” (v. 9 ) and “I will not fail you or forsake you” (v. 5).
Jesus reassures us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). We cling to this. Whether we experience clinical anxiety like Esther or face a daunting future like Joshua, God is here: with us and ahead of us.
By Tanya Marlow
REFLECT & PRAY
What situations are you presently anxious about? What difference does it make to visualise Jesus with you in each one?
Dear God, You go before us and fight our battles with us. Please calm my heart today and help me know that You are with me.
SCRIPTURE INSIGHT
Joshua, a leader from the tribe of Ephraim, was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to survey the land of Canaan. Moses changed his name from Hoshea, meaning “salvation,” to Joshua, meaning “Jehovah is salvation” (Numbers 13:8, 16). He had been Moses’ aide since his youth (Exodus 24:13; 33:11; Numbers 11:28; Joshua 1:1). God commended Joshua as one who followed Him wholeheartedly. And Joshua and Caleb were the only two persons who were twenty years old or more when they left Egypt who were permitted to enter the Promised Land ( Numbers 32:11–12). Even Moses wasn’t allowed to enter (Deuteronomy 3:23–29).
K. T. Sim
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