March 22

Now after the death of His servant Moses, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant, saying, “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, you and all these people, and cross over the Jordan into the land that I am giving to the children of Israel. — Josh 1:1-2 BSB

Yesterday, sorrow came and emptied your home. Now your first instinct is to give up and sit in despair amid the ruins of your hopes. But you cannot do that. You are in the midst of life’s battle, and the crisis is urgent. To falter now would endanger others. Holy purposes would be harmed if you stop. You must not even pause to nurse your grief. Sorrows are part of life’s journey and must not derail us. We must leave them behind and press on toward what lies ahead.

God has ordered it this way, too, that in continuing our duties, we will find the richest comfort for ourselves. If we sit and brood over our sorrows, the darkness deepens and creeps into our hearts, turning our strength into weakness. But if we turn away from the gloom and take up the tasks God calls us to, the light will return, and we will grow stronger.