So today, as I was preparing the devotion for our young adults cell, I stumbled across what I then decided was going to be the topic for my blog today; the fact that no matter what we face in life; no matter how far we have fallen and fall short; we have a permanent reason to have hope.
A reason that really will redefine how we do life; that will redefine how we respond to challenges and setbacks, and put our hearts at rest irrespective of what today may look like for each one of us. For those of us who like to cut to the chase; the simple reason always boils down to Him, God, our Father and His assurance of love for us that is exemplified by His death on the cross.
More specifically today, I was struck by how many different times and ways God has reassured us that He will not fail us, and He will be with us. In Deuteronomy 31:6, he assures the Israelites (a nation all too familiar with having no rights, standing and being taken advantage of) to go boldly against all that would seek to stand against them; because He would both walk with them, and neither leave nor forsake them. In verse 8, He says He, God himself would go with His people, not a delegate, or a substitute, but He himself would go with His people.
To Joshua, in Chapter 1, He assures Joshua of a permanent place of victory in Him. Not because Joshua was the most learned fighter out there; but because God himself would be with Joshua. In Isaiah 43, He makes a promise-that even through a raging fire or through stormy seas, He will always be with His people and He would ensure that nothing they faced should ever overcome them—there would always be a bright light at the end of whatever tunnel they faced; a silver lining to every cloud, all because of Him.
A particular favourite promise of mine, along these lines is in 1 Peter 2:6, Behold, I lay in Zion a cornerstone; a cornerstone chosen and precious; and He who puts his trust in Him will never be put to shame. It is a reminder that my confidence to prosper in life; to inspire a generation to yield and trust in God and to have a happy, godly marriage should stem not from my ability to do a lot of spiritual gymnastics; but from a confidence in Him.
A confidence in He who is love; in whose presence there is fullness of joy and who delights in showing loyal love. A confidence in the one who is the captain of Heaven’s undefeated army, the one who is King above all and without comparison.
And it is this that I am sharing as my blog today; we have a permanent reason to live in hope whatever we face because the Captain of Heaven’s Armies, the Prince of Peace and Everlasting God will neither leave, nor forsake us because He is 100% always for us and on our side.
Selah