On Every Side Read Free

moment, gazing outside at the late summer green in the leaves that lined Main Street.
Why would You guide us here…
take us from
our steady jobs… just to leave me all alone? How will I provide stabil-ity for Helen now? For Faith?
    Joshua, hear me, son. You are not alone.
    The voice was as strong and certain as ever, a constant reminder that Joshua's relationship with a mighty God was intact, the single guiding force in his life. He opened another box and struggled to his feet. Once Bob's things were gone, maybe he could advertise for a partner. Someone who didn't need to make money up-front. Joshua huffed at the thought. How likely was that? The situation was hopeless.
    There was something else, too.
    With Bob gone, Joshua wondered whether he was actually up to the task of fighting religious freedom cases. Bob was the out-going one, the lawyer with flair and style and conviction. Joshua? He was merely a simple man who loved God above everything and everyone else; a man whose arguments in court were suc-cinct and heartfelt rather than memorable. Bob had said more profound things at lunch over a cheeseburger and fries than Joshua had ever said in court. Joshua had figured he'd enjoy fighting nearly any cause at Bob Moses’ side. But without him?
    His doubts were rampant as barn mice.
    Joshua pulled himself into a nearby chair and hung his head. What was he supposed to do now? The firm wouldn't hire him back… His retirement fund was intact, so it wasn't a financial concern. But with Bob gone Joshua felt as though he'd lost his sense of direction, his focus as a man. He looked up and studied the office, taking in the way Helen and Betty had arranged the plants just so, how the windows on three sides allowed the light to fill the room. Joshua closed his eyes.
This was Bob's dream, God… tell me I'm supposed to let it go. Please…
    As I was with Bob Moses so I will be with you. I will never leave you nor forsake you.
    Joshua let the silent thought settle on his heart. It was true of course; God would be with him. But what about the law office? What of the dream to fight tyrannical forces bent on destroying religious freedom?
    Joshua was suddenly more tired than he'd been in weeks. He rested his head on his desk and closed his eyes.
As I was with Bob Moses… As I was with Bob Moses… As I was with Bob Moses…
Joshua remembered the two cases he and Bob had battled together, how God had indeed been with them, bringing both victory and visibility, a presence in the Philadelphia area that had caused certain political groups to take notice.
But that was then, God… I'm all alone now. I can't do it on my own.
    Be strong and courageous… you will lead the people of this town to inherit the land…
    Joshua closed his eyes tighter.
Are You talking to
me,
God? head the people of the town to inherit
what
land?
He shook his head slightly to clear the strange words. He probably needed more sleep. He might even be coming down with something. That could explain this heavy, tired feeling…
    Inherit the land? He couldn't scrounge up a single case, let alone inherit the land.
    Before he could pull himself up from his desk he heard a voice. Not the kind of inner knowing that comes when God whispers… but an audible voice.
    “Be strong and very courageous, Joshua. Be careful to follow all the ways My servant Bob Moses showed you; do not turn from them to the right or to the left, that you may he successful wherever you go.”
    Joshua sat straight up, eyes wide. A clamminess came over his hands and neck, and he glanced about the room. The boxes were no longer scattered over the floor, but stacked neatly by the door. And one of the photos on the wall looked different. In place ofBob's picture hung one of a younger man—a man with angry eyes and a handsome, chiseled face.
What in the…
?
    “If… if that's You talking, God… I want to be strong for You.” Joshua's eyes darted about the room, but the windows offered none of the familiar