Published: May 12, 2009 11:12 pm      

EDITORIAL: ‘Be strong,’ Joshua says

Last Thursday, hundreds of people gathered at the Howard County courthouse and, later, at the Highland Park pavilion in observance of the National Day of Prayer – just as they have for several years.

Today, with a new president, friends and neighbors participating in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, a city unemployment rate of 14.6 percent, and more than 4,000 local autoworkers on several weeks of furlough, there was a lot to pray about.

Pastor John Tice’s statements at last year’s event still resonate. He said prayer is referred to in the Bible as a “shield.” Soldiers in biblical times fought with shields locked, he said, repelling the enemy, usually on one knee.

It was no coincidence the Bible used that term.

“We are freed not by punching with our military might, but one might find us advancing on our knees,” Tice said. “We need not pray for easy lives; we need to pray to be stronger people.”

Kokomo attorney Jim Butcher last year read the remaining verses of the 28th Psalm.

“The Lord is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

“Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.”

Considering the challenges facing Kokomo – and those we surely must face this summer – we thought we’d share our favorite verse: Joshua 1:9.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”