Moving Forward: Taking the Next Step with Confidence

Dear friends, it brings me great joy to greet you with a message of hope and encouragement, based on the promise of the Lord, found in I Samuel 2:9.

He will guard the feet of his faithful servants, but the wicked will be silenced in the place of darkness. “It is not by strength that one prevails;

This passage reassures us that God guards the feet of His faithful servants, meaning that He watches over and protects them, guiding them along the paths of righteousness.

In our daily lives, we are often faced with new challenges and opportunities that require us to step out of our comfort zones and take risks. However, the fear of failure or rejection can be so overwhelming that it paralyzes us, preventing us from moving forward and making progress.

It is precisely in times like these that we need to draw strength and inspiration from the word of God. The Bible is full of stories of ordinary people who faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles and yet they were able to overcome them through the power of faith and trust in God.

One such story is found in II Chronicles 20, where the people of Judah were confronted by a vast and powerful army of Moabites and Ammonites. Faced with this terrifying threat, the people cried out to the Lord for help, and King Jehoshaphat called for a time of fasting and prayer.

In response, God spoke to the people through the prophet Jahaziel, saying, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s” (II Chronicles 20:15). Encouraged by these words, the people marched forward in faith, trusting that God would fight their battle for them.

And he fights it and won. As the armies of Moab and Ammon approached, God confused their ranks, and they began to fight each other. By the time the people of Judah arrived on the scene, the enemy forces had been destroyed, and the battle was won without a single sword being drawn.

What a powerful testament to the faithfulness and power of God! This story serves as a reminder to us that, no matter what challenges we face, we can trust in the Lord to guide us and fight for us. When we step out in faith, even in the face of fear and uncertainty, we open ourselves up to the possibility of miracles.

So, if you are feeling afraid or discouraged today, take heart. Remember that God is with you, and He will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). Trust in Him, obey His word, and step forward with boldness and courage, knowing that He is guiding your path and protecting your every step. As Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” Let His word be your guide, and let your faith be your strength.