Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; be not frightened, neither be dismayed; for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.
Joshua had nothing but a rabble of ex-slaves helping him when he went to conquer the land of Canaan. The reason he could do it was because of five words: "Have I not commanded you?" Those words wouldn't mean much if they had been spoken by human beings. But they were spoken by God and God does not command what he does not mean to enable us to do. It's the same today as we face the tasks God commands us to do. He doesn't ask of us what he does not give us the power to do.
Mark P. Shea is a popular Catholic writer and speaker. The author of numerous books, his most recent work is The Work of Mercy (Servant) and The Heart of Catholic Prayer (Our Sunday Visitor). Mark contributes numerous articles to many magazines, including his popular column “Connecting the Dots” for the National Catholic Register. Mark is known nationally for his one minute “Words of Encouragement” on Catholic radio. He also maintains the Catholic and Enjoying It blog and regularly blogs for National Catholic Register. He lives in Washington state with his wife, Janet, and their four sons.
