Deuteronomy 31:6

New King James Version

 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.”

For Encouragement

A promise is not meaninful until we see the object of our faith as bigger than life or anything seen and unseen. To any child, their father is stronger than any giant and able to do the seeming impossible things. Dad cannot disappoint in providing, protecting, and doing everything for them. To the bully on the block, the child says, “Wait until my father comes, and you will see what he will do to you.” In a game park, the father’s urging is enough encouragement to ride every roller coaster or swing without fear. He trusts Daddy’s ability to fix the broken toys, solve every problem, and provide peace and security through any stormy night. If that is the absolute faith of a child in their earthly father, how much more the faith of the child of God in our heavenly Father? 

Young David showed his childlike faith when he confronted Goliath, as all Israel’s army cowered in fear (1 Sam. 17:31-47). King Saul observed with fascination how the young and “inexperienced” David moved with absolute trust in the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, to confront the bully Phillistian giant on the battlefield (55-56). If only we could trust our Father in heaven this way. Victory came on the heels of raw, childlike faith, which trusts absolutely with unquestioning confidence.

God is greater than our earthly fathers could ever be. He is All-powerful, All-knowing, Ever-present, and Unchanging. The Lord is faithful to the core when dealing with us. He has given us every promise we need to live peacefully and securely in Christ. Concerning these promises, His word assures us He “is not a man, that He should lie, nor the son of man that He should change His mind.” Then He asks rhetorically, “Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill” (Numbers 23:19)? 

Paul adds in 2 Cor. 1:20: “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” 

So, what is your situation or condition as you start your week? Why can’t you take God at His word when He tells you to be strong and courageous and assures you never to leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6)? Can you believe His promise that the waters and rivers and fires stand no chance against you because of His presence with you (Isaiah 43:2)? How then can we not trust Him?

The issue is never God’s inability to fulfill His promises, but our lack of childlike faith and a strong desire to know Him (Eph. 1:17; 4:13; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:10; 2 Pt. 1:5). It is about our struggle to yield to Christ Jesus in close fellowship and trusting in His presence in every situation. That is the critical issue of God’s faithfulness and the need for our determined trust in Him for all His blessings to flow as He sovereignly determines.

Pray with Me

I confess the many times my faith has stumbled when I needed to move with absolute trust in your promises. Help me, Lord, to know you more and to trust in your faithfulness, despite my circumstances. Amen!   

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