God will never leave you nor forsake you

Deuteronomy 31:6 (NIV)

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Moses spoke, then wrote, these words as he announced to all Israel in the desert that he would no longer be able to lead them because of his age and because of the commandment of the Lord (Deut 31:1-2).  The Lord Himself and Joshua would be leading them into the Promised Land (Deut 31:3).  In what could be considered Moses’ final words to the people he had led for 40 years, what encouraging mandates did he leave with his people? 

·  Be strong and courageous

·  Do not be afraid or terrified

·  The Lord your God goes with you

·  He will never leave you nor forsake you

The first two directives were what the people needed to do and be, the last two directives were what God will do.  What was true then is still true today.  These are words that apply to you every day of your life.  Imagine that everyday before you go out into the world, be it your job or wherever, that you recite these four declarations.  Tell yourself to be strong and courageous.  Tell yourself not to be afraid of anything.  Remind yourself that God goes with you, is always with you no matter where you are, what you have done, or anything.  And, be assured that He will never leave you nor forsake you.  He will never, ever leave you or forsake you.  Got that?  He will never leave you nor forsake you.  Can you face whatever is challenging you each day with encouraging words like these?  All you need is faith that all these promises are true.  Faith is being fully assured that whatever you hope for, it will happen. 

Be specific-------what do you need to be strong and courageous about?  What scares, even terrifies you?  You need to identify these things, even people, then specifically lift them in prayer as you repeats these promises.  For example, “Lord I am afraid of dying.  Help me to be strong and courageous and not to be afraid of dying or terrified of death.  You can help me because I believe that You are always with me, You will never abandon me. You will never leave me in some awful place that includes my state of mind.  No matter what I might feel, You are not leaving me.  I know that I can count on You to help me face my fear.”  This can be a model prayer for whatever or whoever you fear.

Interestingly, the phrase “I will never leave you; I will never forsake you” is repeated in Hebrews 13:5 in the context of being content with what you have as well as not being afraid of other people.  There are all kinds of situations in our lives where we feel fear or insecurity or stress or some kind of negative emotion where these promises of God will come to our aid if we simply remember them and believe in them. 

“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.”  Deuteronomy 31:8

“Let your faith be bigger than your fears” -- Unknown