Devotionals from my Bible app: Faith in God's Promises (Deuteronomy 31:6)

Note before sharing the devotional: a few days ago I posted a devotional in which the focus was waiting on God, and I had mentioned about a choir-and-organ music sketch where I felt God highlighting a couple verses that I should pair from completely different books in the Bible. I also felt Him do the same on another occasion earlier in the same composition, and it included today's devotional verse. This pairing really spoke to me, because it highlights both another area of historical difficulty in my life, as well as the path forward that God has been trying to lead me on.

When my father and my mother forsake me, Then the Lord will take care of me. Psalm 27:10, NKJV

Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6, NKJV

*out of context, those two crossed out words "of them" don't make any sense. They are referring to Israel's enemies, not "my father and my mother." Thus, I also didn't include those words in the musical composition, for the same reasons.

Another similar verse to the one in Deuteronomy that I've heard far more often is found at the beginning of the book of Joshua:

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Joshua 1:8, NKJV

In short, one of my biggest regrets (it's only really become such a one in the last few years) is coming back home after I graduated from my school in New York. At the time, I was bent on returning, to the point that I would not have allowed myself to be convinced otherwise (not that anyone tried). But as I've grown (including the stumbles and falls of the last several years) I've come to realize that 1.) I was really better off out East than I had realized, and 2.) if I had known and understood in full what was awaiting me upon returning home, I wouldn't have returned, and 3.) I had ample opportunity to pick another school out East for high school that would have allowed me to further develop my gifts, both academically and musically, all the while saving me and protecting me from other aspects of life that I was not ready for (including many things that others my age would have been ready for).

Bottom line, how I look at my opportunity in New York was God "calling me there to worship Him on a bigger stage." And that's what I did. I should've kept going through my high-school years (and perhaps beyond), and I didn't.

Simply put, I didn't trust God then. (I also didn't know Him much, as I wasn't yet saved.) But over the last decade He has put other opportunities for me to try to walk this path of "faith spelled R-I-S-K" again and again. I like to think I've gotten better at this, but I also know I still have my work cut out for me. I'm just grateful He hasn't given up on me yet.

But enough about me. For those of you who are or have struggled to trust in God's promises, I believe that there is an area in your life, similar to mine, where He has been calling you to follow Him, to follow Jesus as your Savior and especially as your Lord. If you stumble and fall, get up and try again. He loves you too much to give up on you.

Faith in God's Promises

Many seasons in life can be scary. You might be asked to step into something new and uncertain. You might walk through a difficult situation or face insurmountable opposition. It is easy to feel discouraged or fearful of seasons like this, especially in the midst of the unknown.

But God’s Word says that faith is needed in every season of life. Faith means putting our trust in God and taking the next step, even if we don’t know what is ahead.

In Deuteronomy 31:6, God encouraged them to be strong and courageous in the midst of facing their greatest fears. And, He even gave them a promise to ease their fears: He would never leave their side.

Often, in seasons of difficulty, all we have left to hold onto is a promise from God. But regardless of how everything changes around us, we can always place our faith in God’s promises.

During this season of Advent, and time of reflection, think about the seasons of your own life. Every situation you face is an opportunity to grow your faith in God and trust in His promises. So, if you’re feeling discouraged or fearful of the future, spend some time in prayer, asking God for courage and peace.

Remember that you are never alone in life. God is always with you. Not only will His presence never leave you, but His love will never be taken away. He will never forsake you. There is nothing that can separate you from the love of God (Romans 8:38).

Thank God for His love and presence during this season of reflection. And confidently cling to the promises that He has given you.

https://bible.com/bible/59/deu.31.6.ESV