No Matter What

It's been a few days over Christmas break since I've consistently blogged--it's kind of funny how quickly we can lose our rythmn.  To do something with discipline is maybe one of the hardest things to accomplish, and because we see everything through the lenses of our experiences, it's easy to doubt that there is really someone out there who promises to be faithful to us no matter what.

But that's exactly what God says to us, that he has made up his mind that he will always be with us, and he will never forsake us!  Do you know what 'forsake' means?  My dictionary explains that 'forsake' means, 'give up; break off from; renounce; withdraw one's help, friendship or companionship; desert or abandon.'

Think about that for a minute:  God says to his children that he won't ever give up on us.  He will not break up with us.  He will never renounce his relationship with us.  He has chosen to never withdraw his help from us.  He promises that he will always be our friend.  His desire is to be a companion to us.  He declares that he will never desert us, and He finally states that we don't have to worry about him ever abandoning us.

Isn't that kind of hard to believe?  Especially when, as I said before, we interpret everything through the lenses of our own experience?  After all, God might desire to be these things to us, which is great to know that he has a good heart and all. . .but to imagine that he not only desires this, but is willing and able to actually do it?  That's something else.

Imagine Joshua for a second.  Moses was one of the greatest leaders in Israel's history.  God did mighty things through him and the people respected him immensely.  Joshua was the 'leader in training' who watched and learned from Moses.  The day eventually came when Joshua was to take over the leadership.  What would you be feeling when that day came?

Joshua was scared and filled with doubt about himself to be sure.  That's why we read God's words to him in Deuteronomy 31:7-8: "Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, 'Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their forefathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.'

'He will never leave you nor forsake you.'  Don't worry Josh, God has your back. . .trust him--he won't let you down even though you will stumble and fall.

The promise made to Joshua is a promise that God makes to you today--He never abandons his kids.

No matter what.

Take heart today knowing that God's 'no matter what' is far greater than your 'no matter what'.  No matter what you have said or done, His promises to stay with you remain true no matter what.

BT