LENTEN DEVOTIONAL - Day 10

I am With You

“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.”-Deuteronomy 31:6

            In Deuteronomy, we see Moses commissioning Joshua to lead the people of Israel into Canaan. Moses was not allowed by God to enter in because of an act of disobedience in the wilderness _{(Exodus 20:8-12)}. The Israelites had been through a lot, mostly due to their being stiff necked and obstinate and are finally ready to enter into the land God had promised them. God was with them. Think about how apprehensive the Israelites must have been crossing the River Jordan into a land that was foreign to them. All the unknowns must have been driving them crazy. God was with them. It was a matter of faith and trust in their God. He’s also with usand in usas well. He goes where you go and “will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

Forsake  1. abandon (someone or something); renounce or give up (something valued or pleasant).

            God is saying in Deuteronomy and says throughout scripture that He will never abandon us. We’re never alone for God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us. The Bible speaks of our enemy as an “adversary (who) … walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”_{(1 Peter 5:8; NKJV)} What it doesn’t say is that he is a toothless lion, for he can do nothing that God does not allow for His own purposes. (Read the opening chapter of the Book of Job in the OT.)

            We know there is nothing to fear and today’s verse of scripture has emphasized that by showing us that we have every reason in the world to be strong and of good courage. And why is this? God goes with you and isn’t dropping you off to fend for yourself.  Embrace this truth and then proceed to live it. Knowing the word of God isn’t good enough. Your enemy knows God’s Word but only to use it against us. To put in super hero vernacular, not trusting God to see you through each of life’s situations is like having super powers and not using them. Of course, it is impossible to equate God and all that He is to mere “superhero powers,” but I believe you understand the comparison. Take courage this day … nothing can harm you and you have nothing to fear. God says so and He ought to know. He rules and reigns over all things … even your enemy.  Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing! rlkeller