Deuteronomy 31:8

New International Version (NIV)

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

For meditation

“Kwame, what’s going on? The doctor doesn’t look my way when he comes on his morning rounds,” my sister said. She was on admission at the hospital for a heart condition that needed surgical intervention. The day I brought her to our home in Accra, Ghana, she made this confession: “Now that I have come to this house, I am convinced I will be well.” She believed the presence of God was in our home and that she had come under His refuge.  But now she was discouraged because the head of the Cardio Unit of the hospital did not pay attention to her. I assured her that many people were praying, and that our Lord would heal her.

The day for the surgery came , and I got there just in time to pray with her as they wheeled her into the theater. The surgery went well and she recovered very quickly. We later heard the story behind the period of her discouragement. The hospital needed some critical equipment replacement, and delivery had delayed. Consequently, none of the patients who were operated upon at that time survived. My sister was sheltered from the definite death that loomed over the surgical theater. She had surely come under the refuge of our great Physician who never disappoints.

Sometimes, we feel discouraged when things don’t work as we expect. When people fail to give us the attention and help we think we deserve, we feel rejected. What we forget is that our life is not in the hands of people. Our life is in the hands of Jesus, and Him alone.

Martha and Mary were disappointed that Jesus delayed in coming to His friend Lazarus’s aid. But the Lord’s delay was for a greater purpose that was hidden from the two sisters until their dead brother walked out of the tomb after four days.

“Did I not tell you that if you believe, you would see the glory of God?” (Jn. 11:40).

That’s it – unflinching faith in Jesus, regardless of what you see! My sister’s faith wobbled when the doctor did not pay attention to her; but God was working it all together for her good (Rm. 8:28).

Moses assured Joshua in the presence of all Israel that God would do what He had promised to do for them. For, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deut. 31:8). The Hebrews writer reminds us of this Ever-presence of our Savior and Lord (Heb. 13:5).

So: Do not be afraid or discouraged; for the Lord is with you today. Current conditions may be discouraging, but trust Jesus to be on top of things to reveal His glory to you.

Shalom