The Lord Will Never Forsake You

“You cannot go up against this Philistine and fight with him, for you are only a youth, while he has been a warrior from his youth.” 1 Samuel 17:33

The fight between David and Goliath is encouraging for everyone because everyone with no exception is fighting a battle against an enemy. For me, my doctor says pulmonary hypertension is progressive. I can give in to anxiety or fears for the future or I can choose to put my hope and trust in the One who keeps promises. He will be with me always. Whom should I fear? For others the challenge may be an unstable job, an addiction, a legal battle. No one escapes problems and trials.

My brother Robert is the most amazing person. He has been battling colon cancer for 7 or 8 years now. Just before Christmas last year, we discovered one of his caregivers had been drugging him, taking his cellphone while he was asleep. He changed Robert’s password on Google, and was able to access Robert’s bank account and credit card, and was able to steal his life savings in two months! After this horrifying turn of events, Robert announced in a news article, “I am blessed to know that the truest treasures are friends and family that show unconditional love.” He could choose to have hate and a desire for revenge in his heart yet he chooses to dwell on his blessings. 

In one of my favorite devotional books, “Streams in the Desert” compiled by Mrs. Charles Cowman, there is an entry for June 9, a story of a poor, colored woman. She earned a meager living out of hard daily labor but was a strong joyous Christian. 

One day a gloomy Christian lady said to her, “Ah, Nancy, ‘tis well enough to be happy now; but I should think the thoughts of your future would sober you. Only suppose, for instance, you should have a spell of sickness, and be unable to work; or suppose your present employers should move away, and no one else should give you anything to do; or suppose—"

"Stop!" cried Nancy, “I never supposes. De Lord is my Shepherd, and I knows I shall not want. And, Honey," she added, to her gloomy friend, “it's all dem supposes as is makin' you so mis'able. You'd better give dem all up, and just trust de Lord."

We can take to heart Hebrews 13:5-6, “Be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."