I’ve heard it said that the only sure things in life are death and taxes. Neither one of us is likely to escape either one. But I know another thing that’s as sure as the sun rising in the east.
Well, I cannot argue that both death and taxes are certainties. Governments are always going to be taxing their people. The level of tax and the things which are taxes vary from nation to nation; but taxation itself is a constant.
Death, too, is certain. We are all born with a terminal condition. None of us will continue to live on this earth forever in our present state. Of course, if the aging process is any consideration, none of us would want to. Growing old isn’t for the faint of heart. Bodies wear down and wear out; things stop working properly. Not fun!
But to say the ONLY SURE THINGS ???? I can’t agree with that. Today’s verse is a sure thing.
HE WILL NEITHER FAIL YOU NOR ABANDON YOU.
That promise is found in Deuteronomy 31:6.
(Here’s a memory trick for you, to help you remember it easily. Everyone reading this today is likely familiar with John 3:16. Just the mention of that reference brings the verse popping into your head, right? Well, this verse has the SAME THREE NUMBERS … 3 – 1 – 6.)
Moses was encouraging the people of Israel. God had been faithful to deliver them from the hand of Pharaoh. He had been faithful to care for their needs in the desert. Daily food and water had been provided. Their clothes had not worn out; not even the sandals upon which they walked. Moses was reminding his people of God’s faithfulness as they were about to face a new battle, another series of enemies. Moses said, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the LORD your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
I don’t know more than a few of thousands of people reading this daily devotional. Some of you are reading this in places I’ve never visited and languages I cannot speak. But what I do know is this — You too have challenges, battles and enemies to face. We all have another battle in our future. For some it is only mere hours away.
But I know this as well — HE WILL NEITHER FAIL YOU NOR ABANDON YOU. He will be with you in the battle. Sometimes He will allow you to fight. In fact, that appears to be the case most of the time, both in biblical accounts and and in our personal ones. But there are also times when He knows the enemy is far too great, and God deals with the enemy on His own. Whether sending strength or sending angels, He will not fail you.
His concern is for YOU, and it is unwavering. He wants you to be in right relationship with Him. He wants the sin in your life dealt with. He wants your faith strengthened. He wants the community of believers to which you belong and in which you serve to be developed.
These are the things He wanted for Israel. They are the things He wants for His Church. They are the very same things He wants for His children individually and personally.
So, like any good father, He will allow life’s battles to form you and shape you, to strengthen you and train you. And, if you begin to see that you are not walking in victory, it may be time to examine and see if there is a lesson to be learned or a sin to be removed. He is more concerned with the relationship and your eternal destiny than He is with individual victories or defeats in battles; because it is YOU for whom He is concerned.
I’ve not been the best father in the world, as I’ve mentioned in some detail in the past. Every earthly father has failed his children repeatedly. Good ones fail most frequently in ignorance, others do so deliberately; but none of us are fathers in perfection. We only have ONE perfect Father. And from His position of unlimited knowledge of past, present and future He makes an incredible promise. HE WILL NEITHER FAIL YOU NOR ABANDON YOU.
He will not. He KNOWS He will not, because He knows the end from the beginning. He knows every battle your life will encounter, every decision you will make. Nothing is hidden from Him.
Sometimes my wife and I will be watching a movie and the protagonist will face a critical struggle. There have been times she’s turned to me, knowing that I’ve seen the movie before, and say, “Just tell me, does he make it????” And, because I’ve seen the movie I can answer her with certainty.
Well, friends, God has seen your movie. The battles you’re facing may bring a flood of fear and questions. They may seem far too great to overcome. You may feel like pressing your head into the chest of the one who has His arm around you and saying, “Just tell me, am I going to make it????”
Among the other answers He will give you, among the wisdom He will surely impart and the resources He will certainly provide, there is another CERTAIN thing upon which you can stand. It is MORE certain than death and taxes.
HE WILL NEITHER FAIL YOU NOR ABANDON YOU.
