Cavehill, Belfast
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
I quote this verse far too often, to myself, but also to family and friends. Quoting is easy: confidently living out its content proves exceptionally challenging. When gazing back over my life, I see quite a lot of fear and discouragement. As a young Christian I met disappointment with frustration, often expressed in angry outbursts. I lacked a lot of self-control – yet it was one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) I received upon choosing to follow Jesus. It cost me nothing.
For so long, I failed to realise God’s provision was already within my grasp. My problem was my failure, or unwillingness, to take hold of this fruit and apply it in managing any difficult set of circumstances. I have spent much time wondering at my stupidity and inability to take hold of what was already mine in Christ and secure the benefits for a less tempestuous life. I might have retained any number of relationships that disintegrated under the violence of my temper tantrums. Yet God has wonderfully forgiven me and enabled me to forgive myself.
God reminds me I need not fear tomorrow, and he has already preceded me into my fears for tomorrow. Even death has not only been tamed, but utterly destroyed by the risen saviour. Jesus endured its agonies that we might know it offers nothing more but the threshold beyond which lies eternity with Christ. As Paul declares: “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”
The challenge, this side of death, is to find and retain a confidence in God’s complete provision for us, at all times.
QUESTION
What stops you trusting God’s promise not to fail or forsake you (1 Chronicles 28:20)?
PRAYER
Lord, today I put my hand in yours. Lead me.
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