Deuteronomy 31:6
“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 or forsake you.”
This morning it is a challenge to think about loneliness because I am in a very positive place. I don’t feel alone at all. But I can resonate with Moses’ words to the people. We cannot let fear of others or even simple fear of failure get in our way. We all need to walk forward in faith, do our best, and not allow doubt or frustration to cause us to quit or leave our plans in the past. If God is with us, no one can stop us.
Holy God, I know your Holy Spirit was with us at CUMC last night. Guide us, encourage us, and help us to do what we know we can do, and even what we can only imagine we can do. Amen
Becky, transforming
Deuteronomy 31:16
Throughout our lives, events may happen that cause us to turn from God maybe we feel punished, maybe we are angry with God. This seemed more of an issue when I was younger. As I have grown older, I have grown stronger in my faith and I know that untoward events in our lives are not punishment and we should reach out to God for strength.
Dear God, help me to always know you are my strength and whatever I face, it is never alone. Amen.
Deuteronomy 31:6
The sure knowledge that I have a solid, unchanging ally in seeking the pathway in life that God has willed just for me frames life’s journey in an entirely different light. There may be momentary anxiety, but fear and terror are not burdens a believer should bear. The Lord God goes with me, but in ways that far exceed the imagination. God is with me in the support and nurture I get from rejecting the lonely feeling of fighting the worldly battle by myself and leaning on the fellowship of my brothers and sisters in Christ. We were created from the beginning for community and it is in this community that the Lord never leaves nor forsakes us.
Friday, January 31st, 2025
Deuteronomy 31:6
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
This Bible verse about strength came from a challenging time. Moses was speaking to the people of God, knowing that his death was near. He wanted to encourage the Israelites with hope for the future, even though they would be losing him. He reminded them that God would never leave nor forsake them. Every day we are presented with new opportunities, new situations and new knowledge. Sometimes they may not be opportunities , but anxiety. Sometimes even loneliness, because I keep i…
Deuteronomy 31:6. From the Message
Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let your down; he won't leave you.
Immediately upon reading the Message version of Deuteronomy 31:6, I could see Him in front of me beckoning me to keep moving forward. He is leading me to better things. I can picture him turning back to me and waving me forward so I would come and follow him.
Prayer: Gracious God, when I'm sad and lonely, help me picture you there in front of me showing me the way, saying "follow me." AMEN