Hope in the Words of Old

He was sitting on the side of the hill; it was his first night alone with the sheep. The little boy wanted to be brave but he honestly was a little scared. Gathering the little lamb close in his lap, he began to think of his favorite story, the story of the might leader and warrior Joshua. When he was younger, he and his friends would reenact the Battle of Jericho. They would march around in a circle seven times then shouting like crazy and attacking their pretend enemies and proclaim victory! The boy shivered it seemed so easy then to be brave, now as he heard the howl of a far off wolf he didn’t feel so brave.

"How was Joshua so brave?" He wondered. "Did he ever get scared?" Then he remembered what seemed to be Joshua’s theme for many years. God gave him these words and then Joshua would often say them to his people before a time of trial. What were the words again… oh yes he remember now, “Be Strong and of Good Courage.” He had always imagined Joshua standing before the people. Telling them what God told him to do and then yelling out these words at the end. The boy could imagine that the people would stand up tall and strong, not acting scared.

Here he sat in the darkness with only the moon and stars as lights. Another howl from a distant wolf cried out and he saw the flock stir. He put the little lamb down and reaches for his bag, he pulled out his little harp. He remembers the words of his mother when he received the harp as a gift. “Son, find comfort in your music, if you play it unto the Lord, He will give you hope and comfort and peace.” He knew it would also sooth the sheep and help them to fall asleep.

As he brushed his fingers across the strings, what should he sing about? He wondered as he played a simple tune as he thought on the words of Joshua. He wondered if he would be in great battles like Joshua or be a great leader like him? Would little kids like him reenact things he did? He sighed; he was the youngest of his brothers, just a little Sheppard boy. No matter what happens he knew he could trust in the LORD. He knew now what to sing.

“In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for a house of defense to save me. For thou are my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” (Ps. 31 1-3, 23-24)

Little David smiled as he looked at his settled herd, he knew he could find hope in the words of those who had did great things for the LORD and gone on before him.


This was a writing assignment that my class at C.A.M. had challanged us to do. Sis. Mize gave us each a different scripture on hope, mine was the Ps. 31: 24, the last line of the "song". The story of Joshua is one of my favorites. Most people assume that Joshua's theme was always the "As for me and my house... we will serve the Lord." but what would lead him to say those words might of been from the words God gave to him at the beginning of his leadership, "Be Strong and of Good Courage" This scripture is said seven times in the book of Joshua, to me this was Joshua's theme for his life. When he got to the point that no matter what others do or say, his family WILL serve the Lord came from the words that he held true to his heart in his life. I think that possibly David may have reflected on this same thing when he put that verse in his song. “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord” Ps. 31:24

Jacqueline