I sat glued to the TV today – along with tens of millions of Americans who didn’t brave the DC cold – as Barack Obama took the oath of office as our nation’s 44th president. Whether I voted for Mr. Obama was immaterial; in fact, as far as I was concerned, his race didn’t matter, either.

A 47-year-old father of two girls had just become the most powerful man on earth.

By the way, I am a 47-year-old father of two girls. I constantly need God’s wisdom and strength to be the man I need to be, so I can only imagine what President Obama must be thinking as he embarks on his historic journey to lead the country as well as his family.

He probably feels a little like Joshua, a somewhat inexperienced leader who was handpicked to guide his nation as it teetered on the brink of despair.

Maybe you are feeling discouraged these days as the “enemies” of recession, market plunges and job insecurity have robbed you of your peace. If so, let the words of Joshua 1:9 give you strength for your journey: “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee.”