Hi
Sometimes it’s hard to avoid being overwhelmed by the weight of waiting for things to change in seasons of distress. We might get nervous or feel unprepared for whatever we face. Perhaps we may find comfort in today’s Holy Nougat
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”” Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT
Can you imagine – our God is our personal bodyguard! These days those duties are managed very effectively by God’s Spirit. Whatever the situation, no matter where we go, God is with us.
The challenge for many of us is based on the difference between our expectations and the actual reality of Divine body-guarding. And that disconnect can result in a crisis of faith.
Just think – how many people do we know who’ve wondered whether YHWH God is real because of some experience in which they felt God didn’t come through! The same people (ourselves included) who may have a challenge keeping our word to God. The thing is, if we judge or track God’s involvement in our lives; we WILL ALWAYS be discouraged. Not sometimes, but always. Because even when God’s intervention aligns with our expectations, our vision is faulty and we might even doubt God’s involvement.
What God actually promises, is to go ahead of us, to be with us and not to fail us. Now, if YHWH God has gone before us, then whatever we face comes as no surprise. Not at all. And since we are God’s creation, God already knows our capacity for the crisis – even when we don’t. It may seem insurmountable, but it is doable.
Not in our own strength perhaps; but since we have the Spirit of God WITH us, we can cry out to our Bodyguard and we will be assisted. Sometimes I think that’s where we falter. We assume that the issues we face are intended for individual response. Meanwhile, YHWH is whispering, ’I’m here. I’m here; let me help you.’ And the offer falls on deaf ears. Hmm
Hmm. I’ve been there.
And even when everything falls apart, we have a loving creative Creator, Who picks the pieces and caringly restores us.
God never fails us.
So, whether we’ve strayed by intent (choosing a path against God’s will) or by accident (like entertaining fear despite God’s assurance), God loves us, has been before us, won’t abandon us (though we might walk away) and will not fail us. And, if we haven’t strayed, God loves us, has been before us, won’t abandon us, and will not fail us.
Reason enough to call on God’s name through anything we face, good or bad.
Good morning
In Christ’s love and grace . . .
