Strength in the Sorrow: Joshua 1:9

God’s Word is sufficient for our every need, even those that follow the heartbreaking loss of a child. In this series, Hope Moms share about the way God, through His life-giving Word, has provided them with the strength, comfort, encouragement, and hope they needed as they walk through the valley of loss and grief.
“My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to Your word!” Psalm 119:28

When our unborn daughter was diagnosed with a fatal chromosome defect, we faced difficult decisions and the way ahead was filled with unknowns. We sought the wisdom and advice of many doctors and specialists to get as clear a picture as possible of our daughter’s condition, the treatment options available to us, and the likelihood of those treatments improving her quality of life… or extending her life at all.

One day, as I was preparing for a visit to a well-known children’s hospital a couple hours away, the Lord impressed on me a verse that brought immediate comfort and peace to my heart. It was Joshua 1:9. I wrote in my journal,

“When the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, they faced the mighty Jordan river—at flood stage—and beyond that, the people who lived in the land who would need to be defeated. They had to step out into the Jordan by faith before the waters would be parted. But God had said to Joshua,

‘Have I not commanded you? 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).

And so as we go in faith, we know our God is with us.”

The comfort I felt from this verse was three-fold. First, strength and courage were gentle commands from a loving God, and I knew He would provide what He commanded. Second, because God promised to be with us wherever we went, we did not have to be afraid or dismayed. Lastly, we were not alone in this deep valley of grief and unknowns.

Be strong and courageous

In our own power we are weak and cowardly. Our own strength is insufficient for being strong and courageous in the face of the darkest valley. We naturally shrink from anything that brings emotional and physical pain. We want to turn away from danger and the unknown. Joshua and the Israelites were facing the Promised Land, but their task came with so many unanswered questions. It would have been easy and natural to turn away at the Jordan river. But the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joshua to encourage him that strength and courage could be his by the power of God, and choosing to trust and embrace them was a command. 

Hebrews 13:20-21 says,

“ Now may the God of peace…equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”

And in 2 Peter 1:3 we read,

“His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence.”

We cannot come up with this strength and courage on our own, but God’s indwelling presence empowers us to be strong and courageous no matter what we face.

As God laid this verse on my heart, I faced a future clouded with unanswered questions, but I knew that His command came with His power. I could confidently trust even when things seem out of control, and with that choice to trust came the strength and courage I needed to move forward.

Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed

The command, “Do not be afraid,” occurs repeatedly in Scripture. But along with the command comes the reasons we have to not fear:

“Say to those who have an anxious heart, “Be strong; fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.”
Isaiah 35:4 (emphasis added)

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Isaiah 41:10 (emphasis added)

“’For I, the Lord your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”
Isaiah 41:13 (emphasis added)

“For they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
Mark 6:50 (emphasis added)

“When I saw Him, I fell at His feet as though dead. But He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Fear not, I am the first and the last.”
Revelation 1:17 (emphasis added)

Do you see what Scripture is telling us? God is with us! He is a God who comes to our rescue.  He is my God, He is your God. He will strengthen, help, and uphold us. He is the beginning and end of all things. He is sovereign over all.

As we faced the many appointments and tests and their unknown outcomes, I took comfort that the Lord was with us wherever we went. I didn’t need to be afraid or dismayed. Did I still struggle with fear and dismay? Absolutely. But each time I knew I could turn my fears and worries over to God because of His promises to be with me and help me, to strengthen and comfort me.

God is a sovereign presence in our lives, He is a safe place on which we can set our fears and worries.

Wherever you go

When we face the darkest valley we fear that we are all alone. But God’s Word tells us differently. Joshua needed this same encouragement as he and the Israelites faced the Jordan river and the nations beyond it that they were told to destroy. 

Not only is God with us wherever we go, but He has already gone before us. We may not know what is up ahead but He does. By faith, we have to move forward on the path that is before us, but the God of the universe is a sure foundation for our every step. Not only that, but He promises to never leave us or forsake us in our grief and heartache.

The reassurance to Joshua that God would be with them was not new information. As Moses was nearing the end of his time as leader over Israel and passing that responsibility on to Joshua he spoke these words to them,

“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

God is with us wherever we go. He will not leave us or forsake us. What dear comfort that is when we face the unthinkable, the heartache, the deepest grief.

Dear mama, in whatever place you are, whether you are bereaved of your child or you are facing a time of loss up ahead, take comfort that God, your God, is your source of strength and courage. He is with you wherever you go, and you can rest your fears and worries with Him. He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be dismayed. Your broken heart and your precious little ones are securely held in God’s sovereign hands.

Abigail is mama to her toddler daughter and to Sarabeth who went to be with Jesus seven days after her birth in January 2018.  She and her husband Chad live in Berea, KY on the family farm where they raise cattle.  In addition to being a stay-at-home-mom and teaching piano part-time, Abigail blogs on Facebook and Instagram at A Healing Gratitude where her desire is to share Sarabeth’s story in a way that highlights the goodness and love of God and how gratitude can lead to greater healing.

We would be honored to share your story as a Hope Mom on our blog. On Saturdays we feature Hope Moms’ stories in order to showcase God’s faithfulness even in the midst of such deep sorrow. If you would like to have your story shared on our blog for this purpose, learn more and submit here.