When my son signed on with the navy, God whispered to me the promise found in Joshua 1:9, "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord Your God will be with you wherever you go." That promise was whispered about my boy-my God will be with him wherever he goes.

That promise led me into a deep study of Joshua, and I learned that this book-full of war and gore-has an abundance of beauty and God's grace. These pages of scripture teach us to trust in the power of God. They teach us to let go of fear and invite us to seize God's promises.