I was having a hard time deciding on a devotional topic for today. I usually just choose from what God is teaching me. It’s not that He’s not working on me right now, in fact maybe even the opposite is true – He’s working on me in so many areas! So many in fact that not one area in particular stands out!
So, since I was in a quandary, I decided instead to share with you one of my favorite verses of the Bible. I’d say it’s my favorite, but then in a few weeks I might refer to another verse as my favorite and I wouldn’t want to appear as a liar! It’s just that I have so many favorites!
Well, several years ago I was feeling a bit blue and discouraged. A wise man, Leon Maksoudian, (lay pastor and elder emeritus at Grace Church) asked me how I was doing. When I answered, “Discouraged!” he said (in a way only this godly man can do), “Well then, you need to memorize Deuteronomy 31:8!” I had no clue what the verse was about, but when Leon Maksoudian tells you to do something, you do it! I quickly looked it up and (not so quickly) committed it to memory. Soon my discouragement waned.
Deuteronomy 31:8 reads, “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.” (NIV)
I have this mental picture of God (in the form of an older, fatherly man) with a machete forging a path through an untrodden forest going before me and cutting a path. Then I see Him taking my hand and walking me along the path He has just made. Hand in hand - I am at peace, trusting in His care for me. There is no fear and I have a certainty that I am doing exactly what I should be doing and accomplishing all that God wants of me. I’m reminded of God’s sovereign control over all of my circumstances. What a comforting verse! And, what a deterrent to discouragement!
Are you afraid? Are you discouraged? Commit Deuteronomy 31:8 to memory and see God minister to you through His Word!
Father God I praise You that You are omnipresent. I praise You for Your sovereignty over all things.
I confess that sometimes I look at my circumstances and forget You are with me through them – then I become afraid and discouraged.
Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me.
Lord, please help me to walk in the assurance of Your presence with me.
In Christ’s Name, Amen
3 comments:
I love that verse, Debbi--I've always memorized the second part of the verse but not the first part about the Lord going before me--I'm going to memorize that today!!! Linda
Debbi,
Thanks for your word picture of God going before you through an impassible path! I appreciate your encouragement.
Hi Debbi,
Wonderful insights by you & thank you for sharing so openly. I love reading your thoughts, as all of those of the other gals here. Even tho I am far away, they always bring my heart "up close" to all my SLO friends. Just like our grown children are always "our babies" to us, I believe that God feels about us the same way. Knowing that we can jump into His lap of love at any time (& any age) is not only comforting, but a factor that draws us to Him and all that He is. You go, Girls!!!
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