Scripture for Encouragement

This scripture for encouragement is a powerful verse. Deuteronomy 31:6 says this "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.”

Who is "them"

The context of this verse is when Moses was getting to old to lead and Joshua was going to be the new leader of Israel. The people of Israel were ready to cross the Jordan river into their new land, but there were several nations who lived there who were very strong. The Lord said to the people through Moses that He would go before them and destroy many of them and the one nation that was left (the Amorites) He would hand over to the people of Israel. 

Moses told them that the Lord told them to not cross over the river until He went ahead of them and "took care of" the people who were already living in the land. He then quoted this encouragement scripture to give them courage as they waited and more courage when they went and face the Amorites. 

How Does This Apply to Today?

This verse is extremely meaningful to me because I can remember a lot of times in my life when I feel like God is calling me to go somewhere or do something but my mind takes over and I start thinking about all the things that can go wrong. I start second guessing whether my feeling that God is calling me somewhere is truly from Him or just my mind messing with me. 

This verse is the perfect counter to those feelings. What an encouragement! To know that "the Lord God..." is going to go with me and that he will not leave me or forsake me is all I need to move forward in faith. It gives me the courage to look past those things that my mind keeps "red flagging" as major problems. 

When God is asking you to do something that is hard or to make a career move or something else that seems scary, remember this verse and "be strong and courageous..." and move forward with God!