Deuteronomy 31:7-8

7. Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8. The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Rely Only on God (Deuteronomy 31:7-8)

 < Have a Hope >
 
  Moses summoned his successor Joshua and gave him a message of hope that he was to take the Promised Land—Canaan (v.7). He also said to him that God would be with him (v.8). God’s promise here is still valid for us today. Don’t only see the weaknesses you have right now. When Moses was called by God, he was eighty. After forty years had passed, when Joshua was appointed as a successor, he was over eighty as well. They were aged but they did not lose hope.
 
  Don’t focus only on your current circumstances, but have an eye of faith and see wonderful things to come. Jesus ordered his disciples before the Ascension: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” What an impossible order? At that time, they probably thought they couldn’t make it. What they thought is true; they couldn’t make it on their own. However, God was with them and they finally made it.
 
  Always confess, “I can do anything in God.” Make a confession of victory first, and make happiness and success next. Then you will be able to make happiness out of any miserable situations. Have a hope for tomorrow. A brilliant tomorrow is always there for Christians. How invaluable truth is it? Realize God’s helping hand beyond circumstances and have hope which is much bigger than despair. Just like you can see sunshine as you open curtains, open the curtains of dream and hope so that you can see the brilliant future.  
 
  Sometimes in life, a hope encounters trouble and winds up with despair. A despair of a hopeful man might be a worse despair. Overcome the moment of despair. God remembers your sweat, dream, service, and love. His drama is still wonderfully going on transcending the human imagination. Do not lament over a failure since there’s enough time in the rest of your life. God is leading you even in a desperate situation. Don’t forget that His hope is always bigger than despair.
 
  Despite a painful and miserable situation, a path shall open as long as you do your best with a holy dream. God is pleased with an attitude more important than ability, faith more than attitude. He gives a blessing when you wholly trust Him and pray. Don’t blame on your circumstance and don’t lament over having no friends. Don’t rely on people but God only. If you rely on people, you lose more than gain.
   
  < Rely Only on God >
 
  There are some husbands who don’t let their wives drive. Some others allow wives to drive in town but not on highways. It may be seen as a sign of love. However, it can be unfair to the wives and make them uncomfortable. It is not love making a wife can’t go to anywhere without her husband.
 
  When I was studying in New York, I visited my parents’ home in LA. Back then, my father was forcing my mother to practice driving. One day, I asked him, “Father! She says she can’t drive. Why do you force her to drive though?” He answered, “If I die early, she needs to drive herself. Those who don’t know how to drive can’t survive in the USA.” The reason for his action was that he loved her so much.
 
  Just giving fishes without teaching how to fish is not love but subjugation. A wife should tell her husband that she will drive herself rather than ask him to drive for her. This may be applied to other situations as well. Let’s say there’s a man who is a pillar of his church. However, the church should be alright even if he is not there. A husband is a prop for his wife, but she should know to survive herself in case that he is not with her.
 
  I also gave my wife driving lessons. I often let her drive for me ever since she got a driver’s license, not only because I was tired but because I trusted her. I did it from the beginning. Even when she damaged the car, I never said something bad. I also let her drive on highways. Therefore, she has become a better driver than many other men.
 
  It is love to leave the driving to someone you love despite the risk of life. “Only rely on me” seems to be a lovely confession, but it can mean to keep your lover stay in a doll’s house. It is not an attitude of love but of possession. Relying on people does nothing with progression. Don’t rely on people but God only. Then, you will experience a heavenly life in any situation.
   

ⓒ Pastor Lee Hangyu http://www.john316.or.kr