Daily Devotional for Saturday, July 15

God Will Not Fail Thee

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee,” Deuteronomy 31:6.

Moses issued this clarion call as an old man. Perhaps not as old as some of the men of God before him, but at 120 years he was full of wisdom that was born of prayer and patience forged through tribulation.  Though not as strong as his younger self, he recognized that Israel would need strength in the coming days.  The Canaanite people, entrenched behind walls and into idolatry, would test the courage of many. 

Many years before, twelve Israelites had crossed into the land of Canaan.  Fear had brought a tragic report from 10 of these spies, and none of those men who spoke of giants and impenetrable walls heard this charge of Moses some 40 years later.  All died in the wilderness not getting to participate in the promise of God that he would bring His people into a land, “flowing with milk and honey” (Exodus 33:3). 

God had been with Israel throughout the years.  He was there when Joseph had been sold into slavery. He had gone with Jacob into the strange land of Egypt and He had been there to hear the impassioned cries of the Hebrew slaves after 400 years of bondage. God had never failed them. He had never forsaken.

Sometimes we need a call to be strong and of good courage. It is Christ who strengthens us and on Him we should call. Is it not His wings that we shelter under; His truth that is our defense? (Psalm 91:4). You may have failed Him, but He is always faithful. Like He was to Israel, He will be to you. He is the “Lord thy God” and He loves you.

THOUGHT: Will you face your fears today and be strong, knowing he will never fail you?

David Thompson