Key scripture- “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORDyour God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you”(Deuteronomy 31:6, ESV).

Pastor James McDonald, tells us that when we are in dark days and even darker nights, when we have stretches of hardship that seem never to end, or just the everyday problems of life, we need to cling to this truth:

God is always with us.

More specifically, God is always with you.

Now say it to yourself, “God is always with me.”

We see this clearly in Moses’ pep talk to the children of God. “Be strong and courageous,” Moses exhorted them.“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” (Deuteronomy 31:6). Whoever the “them” is in Deuteronomy 31:6, “they” don’t stand a chance. Let’s look at the context regarding when Moses said this.

Moses and the second generation of the post-Egypt children of Israel were standing on the border of the Promised Land. Moses knew he was about to die. Thirty-eight years before, all the parents and grandparents of Israel had camped on this very spot, but they had doubted God was with them and would protect them when they entered the Promised Land. The verdict? Since you had no faith, there would be no conquest, no homeland, so go wander in the wilderness. All of that generation had died in the wilderness. God was now going to give to the children what the parents wouldn’t trust Him for. So Moses, standing on the exit ramp to heaven, delivered these marching orders (summarized in Pastor, McDonald’s words):

“As you go up to face those giants in the land, you might think they are too strong for you, as your parents feared. But keep in mind—God is with you.You’re going to battle some violent opposition; you might be tempted to retreat. But remember—God is with you. You’ll face overwhelming odds; you’ll be incredibly outnumbered. Fear would be your natural response. But hold onto this—God is with you. This fight is not going to be over in ten minutes or ten weeks; there’s no quick solution. When you think it’s taking too long, remember—God is with you.”

“Be strong and courageous,” the weathered old leader said. “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.” I can imagine Moses adding, “Haven’t we learned this to be true in these forty years? He never left us while we were in the wilderness. He never forsook us but always provided what we needed. Why on earth should you fear now?”

Now as then, the worse the days get, the more God is with you. The harder the trial, the closer He moves toward you. Are you feeling crushed? He is rushing toward you to stand by your side and help you. When you’re going through hardship, or when you’re heavyhearted and burdened, God rolls up His sleeves and moves toward you in a way that’s unlike any other time. It doesn’t matter if you can see Him working, just know that He is working for you and doing a thousand things that you cannot see. You need to remember the truth—God is right there with you. The harder the days get, the closer He leans in so you can hear His voice. Sometimes it may feel like God has backed away from you when you hit hard times, but that’s not true. “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18). Is your heart breaking today? God is rushing toward you. He is always with you.

Now say it again, “God is always with me.”

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, please help me to lay hold of Your promise that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Help me to renew my confidence and faith in You on a daily basis. Help me to speak and live fearlessly because I know that You are always with me, that You never let go of me, and that is why You say to me, “Do not fear, I will help you.” (Isaiah 41:13). Father, You always know what is going on and You care. You always strengthen me, help me, and uphold me with Your Righteous right hand. Your promise that, “You are with me”, stands firm, it has been spoken over and over again in Your Word and satisfied Your followers throughout thousands of years, and I commit this truth to my heart right now that “You are with me”. In the powerful Name of Jesus, I pray and I also proclaim “You are with me”, Amen.