Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

Wherever you go today, isn’t it comforting to know God is with you?

When I was in elementary school, one of my classmates, Scottie, had severe asthma. Everywhere he went, he carried a bag filled with medicines. He was very thin and fragile, couldn’t run at recess, and usually had a runny nose. Some of the 6th graders picked on him on a daily basis.

We were all petrified of the 6th graders. One boy in particular had chest hair – in the sixth grade! Our teachers offered no protection. Most of the time they appeared to be sitting under the shade tree with their backs turned. No, the playground could be one of the most frightening, nothing anyone can do about it situations in a young life.

But things changed one day when Scottie’s brother returned from Vietnam. He came to our school to bring Scottie his lunch. He walked right out on the playground to see his little brother. The whole playground froze, staring at this guy, as he sat down beside Scottie. We saw Scottie’s arm pointing in the direction of the 6th grade boys who had terrorized him over the past six months. His brother looked at them long and hard, stood up as if he were about to take action, paused only for a moment, and then left.

From that moment on, it was like Scottie had an invisible bodyguard next to him wherever he went. And nobody, I mean NOBODY, messed with Scottie after that or any of us for that matter.

When I read this verse, I think about that day on the playground and what it is like for me and you with God, only a zillion times better.

Be assured, if you need help today, God is there. Whether it is provision, protection, strength, comfort, clarity, peace, or whatever, He is there for you.