Life is filled with tragedy. However, you will experience a calming assurance in your soul knowing God is on your side! 

When Moses died, the burden of leading an estimated three million Israelites fell upon Joshua. God was directing His people to move forward—but the mighty fortress of Jericho lay immediately before them. 

Joshua was troubled. The soldiers in his army were young and inexperienced. What if their attack failed? The pagan nations of the region would be emboldened to attack. Soon they would be facing a coalition of armies. 

However, the Bible says, 

"As Joshua approached the city of Jericho, he looked up and saw a man facing him with a sword in hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, 'Are you friend or foe?' 

"'Neither one,' he replied, 'I am commander of the Lord's army.' 

"At this Joshua fell with his face to the ground in reverence. 'I am at your command,' Joshua said. 'What do you want your servant to do?' 

Are you facing a Jericho in your life?  

• Do you need a miracle of healing in your body?  

• Do your loved ones need salvation?  

• Do you need a financial miracle

You need the assurance that God is with you—protecting and guiding you to victory.

We should note what preceded our Lord's appearance to Joshua.  

1^st.  Forty years prior to this time, Joshua was one of the two spies that brought forth a good report. When they took a survey of Canaan, ten spies said, "We can't do it. The land is filled with giants. We're only grasshoppers in comparison to them." But Joshua and Caleb said, "The Lord is with us. Fear not" (Numbers 14:9).

Friend, remember, God doesn't forget the steps of faith you took many years ago. He will stand by you during the tough times.

2^nd.  Joshua obeyed God's command to have the males circumcised. The Bible says, "At that time the LORD said unto Joshua, Make sharp knives and circumcise the children of Israel the second time. And Joshua… circumcised the children who were born in the wilderness after they came out of Egypt" (See Joshua 5:2-5).

Circumcision was the sign of a covenant relationship with God. And Joshua made certain that he obeyed the Lord in doing everything the Lord wanted done.  

We should always be asking, "Am I obeying God? Am I keeping His commandments? Am I seeking to draw nearer to Him? Am I honoring Him with my giving? Am I building His Kingdom with my time and talents?  

If we have dedicated our lives to God, choosing faith rather than fear, as Joshua did, if we are obeying His commandments—then we can be assured God is with us.  

Jesus said, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).  

Before Jesus left Earth for heaven, He promised, "Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world" (Matthew 28:20).

King David said, "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, FOR THOU ART WITH ME; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me" (Psalm 23:4).

God's presence brings peace and joy.  

The Lord was with Stephen when he was about to be stoned to death for his faith. The Bible says, "But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God. And he said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God" (Acts 7:55 & 56).

Thank God the Lord is with us!  

This is the hope that overcomes the world.  

" Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  

" Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.  

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:35-39).

Jesus Christ gives us the assurance that He is with us. Jesus said, 

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth…. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:18 & 27).

 I am not sure what you have been going through—but I felt impressed to write you this letter. Someone has said, "Don't tell God how big your mountains are. Tell your mountains how big your God is."

Peace be with you. See you at Celebration.