Louis Locke
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8
This is a precious promise of God to all believers – God has promised to be with you, never desert or leave you behind. This promise is so vital that it is repeated in Hebrews (13:5) as a reminder of God’s commitment.
There are times when we can feel very much alone, when things in our lives aren’t working out like we expected, when friends seem not to be the friends we thought they were, when relationships are damaged or strained, or when we go through things that others seemingly don’t understand… but we’re not alone.
When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take care of me. Psalm 27:10
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. Isaiah 43:2
There are times we “wander away” from the Lord and come to a place where we can feel like the Lord wants nothing more to do with us because of our disobedience and failure… but as we see so clearly in the story of the prodigal son, if we turn and return to God, he runs to us! Luke 15:20
God will seek you out. He loves you and will not give up on you. He rejoices when a “wander” is found and returns… consider Jesus’ words… "If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray.” Matthew 18:12-13
Don’t give up on God. He won’t give up on you.
If you’re wandering, turn and return to him.
If you’re feeling alone, feed in faith on the word of promise – and know that God is with you – in it all, through it all!
Louis J. Locke is founding pastor at Carson City Foursquare Church.