“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 NIV
Do Not Be Discouraged
For the vast majority of young Canadians, the dream of owning a home is no longer a given. In fact, for many, the likelihood of becoming a homeowner is becoming a more distant prospect the older they get. More than 80 per cent of Canadians between the ages of 18 and 28 – also known as Generation Z – are discouraged, worrying that they will not be able to afford a home in their city of choice thanks to soaring real-estate prices and increasing cost of living, according to a recent survey conducted by Sotheby’s International Realty.
***
I watch my little grandsons with their moms and dads and I quickly lose track of how many times they call out to them, especially when they get into trouble or fall and scrape their knees or hands. They immediately run to find mom or dad and need to be held until the pain lessens and they run off on their next adventure. In a spiritual sense, we all long for someone to hold us when life gets challenging – and it does all too often. As the people of Israel were about to enter into the Promised Land, God gives them a command and a promise. Joshua 1:9 says “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Entering the Promised Land isn’t going to be easy. There will be battles to fight, food to harvest, homes to settle into. There will be challenging times. So, God gives them a great promise. In the midst of the challenges, He will be with His people, wherever they go. He still is.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley