Life is hard. I don’t think anyone needs to be reminded of that. A former boss of mine always said, “Be nice to everyone because everyone is having a hard time.“
Everyone is having a hard time. And, what makes the hard times bearable is the knowledge that we have a God who, not only cares for us, but carries us.
I tried to relieve your fears: “Don’t be terrified of them. God, your God, is leading the way; he’s fighting for you. You saw with your own eyes what he did for you in Egypt; you saw what he did in the wilderness, how God, your God, carried you as a father carries his child, carried you the whole way until you arrived here. But now that you’re here, you won’t trust God, your God—this same God who goes ahead of you in your travels to scout out a place to pitch camp, a fire by night and a cloud by day to show you the way to go.” – Deuteronomy 1:29-33
Moses is reminding the Israelites of all God had done for them. We should be overwhelmed at the personal care we receive from a holy, all powerful God.
- God is leading the way…God Himself is walking ahead of you and leading the way. All you need to do is follow. He even went ahead of them to scout out a place for them to pitch camp in the evenings. God leaves nothing to chance.
- He is fighting for you… Sometimes, especially during hard times, it is easy to forget. Not only is He on our side – He is personally involved in the fight. He is not just cheering us on from the sidelines. He is fighting for us. He is a fiercely devoted Father.
- You saw with your own eyes what He did for you…There are times when God allows us to actually see His hand of protection. There are many times when God protects us from unseen evils that we aren’t even aware of, but sometimes we are able to see. That, in itself, is an act of love on God’s part…a reminder that our God neither slumbers nor sleeps.
- How God, your God, carried you as a father carries his child..God took such great care of the Israelites. He fed them with bread from heaven when they were hungry. Water came from rocks when they were thirsty. He catered to them time and again. And, when the journey became too much, He carried them. Not like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. Not on his back like a heavy burden. He carried them…as a father carries his child. He carried them with protective strength. He carried them with love and gentleness. He carried them with pride. When we are weak, hurting and feel like we can not take another step on our own…it is not an inconvenience or a hassle for God to step in and help us. It is what He longs to do…as a father carries his child.
Stacy,
Thank you for this post, and the one before this too! You are a gifted writer, and I enjoy reading your blog.
…”God, your God, is leading the way; he’s fighting for you.”
I think that I am going to put this somewhere that I can see it very often, to remind myself that God is in control of my life.
thank you friend!
I hope that you are doing well- and I will continue to pray for you.
Great stuff! It’s amazing how we are reading in different areas of the Bible, yet everything seems to tie in with the Psalms of Ascent. lol Coincidence? I think not.
(But if you keep rereading passages over and over, you will never make to the end, at least not in a year. 😉 )