Where did the summer go?  We have all enjoyed so many fun activities both at church and in our families.  The children, youth, and college students have enjoyed time in the safety and security of familiar surroundings.  Many college students have spent time in their home town working and raising money to make it another year.  High school students have been working and counting the days when they will graduate and be on their own.  A lot of the children have been swimming, going to the zoo, or complaining about being bored.

All of this changes in the next few days and weeks.  There will be new teachers and classmates,  new schedules to remember and maybe even extra worries about whether their shoes will match that pair of jeans.   No doubt there will be some anxious moments as they face many unknowns.

Joshua faced a lot of unknowns after Moses died and he was appointed by God to lead the Israelites into a land God had promised.  They were all going into places that were unfamiliar.  They were going to need a lot of strength and courage to remain faithful to the Lord.  But the Lord promised He would never leave Joshua, and it is the same for us today.  The Lord takes us on great adventures.  He does not always take away the obstacles, but He is faithful.  If we obey Him, He will help us get through them.  We need to have strength to say "yes" to the Lord and courage to stay faithful to Him.  He will be with us just as He was with Joshua.

Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you whereever you go."  Joshua 1:9