Floods are devastating. Water inundates and then separates you from your neighbors and friends – and sometimes even your family. All of a sudden , you can be feeling very, very alone. That’s when you need help that won’t get washed away.
Before we get into floods, friends and floating, welcome to “Mornings with Bishop Robert” — thanks for joining me. My goal is to introduce people to the Jesus they never knew, and help them get to know Him and His word personally – and better ! If our time together today speaks to your heart, then let me invite you to like, subscribe and share it with a friend!
As I write this floods are ravaging Pakistan after hundred-year monsoon rains. In the US, major cities in Mississippi, Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Kentucky are under water. Not too long ago Austria was facing deadly mudslides and floods in Carinthia after record rainfall. South Africa was battling floodwaters a few months ago, and Lagos Nigeria in the northern part of Africa dealt with them at this time last year.
When disaster floods in – actually or figuratively – everyone needs help. They need skills and equipment, and helpers need to be involved for the long haul, because rebuilding will take time. Just a few days ago, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear stood in one of the hardest hit communities and said four words they were hoping to hear. “We Aren’t Going Anywhere.” Everyone understands that they’ll face issues in life — but facing them alone is hard. It’s encouraging to hear people with the power and ability to help out say, “We Aren’t Going Anywhere.”
Today’s verse says I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU
When we face the trials of life, we never need to face them alone. God Himself has promised that He will walk through them with us. Part of the grace of HIM being with us is that He has called people to follow Him, so we often find other people who love Jesus walking with us in the toughest of times. Not only that, but God commands angels concerning you, with instructions to guard you in all your ways. Don’t overlook their assistance just because you can’t (usually) see them. My life has been saved by angelic intervention, placing his hand in my back and pushing me upright as I fell backwards down a flight of stairs.
All together that’s a team that makes any load lighter, and every challenge easier. There are some things that are impossible to do, unless others are involved in the effort. Obstacles are often impossible to overcome alone.
As the Union Pacific Railroad was being constructed, an elaborate trestle bridge was built across Dale Creek Canyon in Wyoming. Wanting to test the bridge, the chief bridge engineer loaded a train with enough extra cars and equipment to double its normal payload. The train was then driven to the middle of the bridge, where it stayed an entire day. One worker asked, “Are you trying to break this bridge?” “No,” came the reply, “I’m trying to prove that the bridge won’t break.”
Many times we face a choice—will we allow obstacles to stop us, or will we keep pressing on regardless of opposition and trouble? Will we join our hands and hearts together and find a pathway to victory, building bridges instead of barriers?
It would be nice if following God meant that things would always work out well and people would always like us. The reality is that many times doing what is right requires overcoming obstacles, and that often requires deliberate cooperation. We should not expect constant smooth sailing, nor should we allow troubles that arise to break up our team or convince us to quit. Let’s keep our eyes on the goal set before us, and PRESS ON to take hold of it.
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus, who has promised that HE WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU OR FORSAKE YOU. He’s not going anywhere.
Why don’t you come back tomorrow – I’m not going anywhere either. We’re in this together.
