One of my “Go-To” story/verses is found in Joshua 1. God had uniquely prepared Joshua for this time. Because Joshua was the “aide-de-camp” to Moses he had witnessed God’s mighty hand, up close & personal, for 40 years. I think of Joshua as a Navy Seal leader…highly trained & ready for whatever happens. I can picture our loving Father God, putting His arm around Joshua to tell him he had not seen anything yet. Where He (God) was taking him and God’s 2 million people would require a dependent relationship on Jehovah God when God said in Joshua 1:9, “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.” God is preparing Joshua for all the impossible situations he will face. He is also telling Joshua do not try to do this on your own.

How important is this God School Principle, “I Am with you”? It is HUGE!

“Occurs 875 times in 135 verses in the NIV, including 21 exact phrases shown first.” Blue Line Bible

Genesis 26:24 – That night the LORD appeared to him and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bless you and will increase the number of your descendants for the sake of my servant Abraham.”

Genesis 28:15 – I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.”

Josuha 3:7 – And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.”

Isaiah 41:10 – “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 43:5 – ”Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.”

Jeremiah 1:8 – “Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 1:19 – “They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.”

Jeremiah 30:11 – “I am with you and will save you,’ declares the LORD. ‘Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Jeremiah 42:11 – “Do not be afraid of the king of Babylon, whom you now fear. Do not be afraid of him, declares the LORD, for I am with you and will save you and deliver you from his hands.”

Jeremiah 46:28 – “Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the LORD. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Haggai 1:13 – “Then Haggai, the LORD’s messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.”

Haggai 2:4 – “But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the LORD. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the LORD, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the LORD Almighty.”

Mattthew 28:20 – “and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Act 18:10 – “For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.”

But my very favorite…the one that grabs my heart is when the thief on the cross…a guy the world saw as a loser with no value, called out to the King of Kings, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:42,43.

Just because God does not reveal Himself as He did in Exodus 13:21, “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.”, does not mean He is not with us. For the followers of Jesus, He gave us the Power of the Holy Spirit. “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate (Holy Spirit) to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of Truth.”

God never intended for us to do life alone. You can begin to have “Life to the full” (John 10:10) today. Jesus is waiting. He is enough.