Our precious savior Jesus Christ, out of love for His cherished Bride, as provided leaders in the church as gifts to equip the followers of Jesus for the good work of ministry so that they will grow strong and devoted to God as each person is able to provide what God enables so that the whole Body of Christ is built up in love as each person does their part.

Joshua meets a man with his sword drawn and asks, “Are you for us or for our enemies.” Will you try to help us? Or are you another formidable obstacle we will have to overcome?

The answer he receives is a surprising relief: “No! I am the commander of the army of the Lord. I have come.”

Exhale! Now I can breathe again. All my fears, all my attempts at formulating a plan of attack, can end. I am not alone! I am not in charge of my destiny and my people’s destiny. I stand before the Lord of Heaven and Earth. I can worship… I can sing and shout. I can march with the throng of the people of God and see the salvation of the Lord.

How do we trust God in the midst of life’s challenges? The book of Job tells us our hope is ultimately anchored in God showing up and not in figuring out what God is doing or even in answers to our prayers. We maintain and even grow in trust as we wholeheartedly communicate our pain and suffering through lament and affirm our trust in knowing the love of Christ.