The Daily: Tuesday February 3, 2026

I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not leave you. I will not abandon you. Joshua 1:5b

We live in a culture obsessed with strategic planning. We want five-year plans, backup plans, and contingency plans. We create vision boards, set SMART goals, and map out every detail of our future. While planning has its place, there's something liberating about discovering that God's approach is often radically different. When Joshua stepped into leadership, facing the monumental task of leading an entire nation across the Jordan River and into the Promised Land, God didn't hand him a detailed military strategy or a comprehensive settlement plan. Instead, God offered something that seemed almost too simple: 'I am with you. Be strong and courageous.' This wasn't God being vague or unhelpful. This was God revealing a profound truth about how divine strength actually works.

Real strength doesn't come from having every detail figured out. It doesn't come from controlling every variable or eliminating every risk. True strength comes from knowing we're not alone in whatever we're facing. Think about the most courageous people you know. Chances are, they're not the ones who have everything mapped out perfectly. They're the ones who step forward into uncertainty because they trust in something bigger than themselves. They understand that presence - both God's presence with them and their presence with others - is more powerful than any plan. When we try to control every outcome, we often miss the opportunities for growth, connection, and miracle that come through trusting in divine presence. Today, instead of demanding a detailed blueprint for your future, consider asking God simply to help you be present - present to His voice, present to the people around you, and present to the possibilities that unfold when we trust rather than control.

Reflection
In what areas of your life are you demanding detailed plans when you might being invited to simply trust God's presence?

Prayer
God, help me release my need to control every detail and instead find strength in Your constant presence. Teach me that being with You is more important than having all the answers. Amen.