always with us

It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

Deuteronomy 31:8

There are three ways God cares for His own that protect those who trust in Him. First, the LORD goes before us. In the case of Israel on the cusp of the Promised Land, they faced the challenge of military conquest. A nation of nomads was commanded to become an army of obedient soldiers. And God went before them, preparing the way in advance for them through Canaan to claim their promised inheritance. Nothing they would face would be new to the God Who went before them.

God promised to be with them. In the moment, God was there. In the battle, God was there. In the victory, God was there. In the difficulty, the call to courage, and in the hard work, God was right there with them. He is always present with His people, a constant source of courage, strength, and power as they believed in Him.

God would not forsake or leave His faithful people. They might be fearful or tempted to retreat. God would not do so. He would be faithful. And we know that He is faithful even when our faith ebbs and flows. His great faithfulness becomes an anchor when our own capacity for staying true to Him wants to falter.

Jesus goes before us. He is preparing a place for us even now. Jesus is Emmanuel: God with us. He promised to be with us always as we faithfully proclaim Him even to the very end of this age. Jesus will not forsake us. He has promised to not leave us as orphans.

And the God Who goes before us, who is with us, who never leaves us, is our strength. We take courage when tempted to be afraid. We strengthen our hearts in faith in the God Who is and always will be with us.