One of the most reassuring passages of the scripture is this one in Deuteronomy. Okay maybe its not a book we read very often, but in the midst of some complicated scriptures and seemly unimportant bits and bobs, lies this absolute gem of a verse. God will never leave you. Its a bit like that story of the footprints in the sand. If fact actually that story sums up basically what I’m trying to say here, so give me a second and I’ll go and find it.

 

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Right here we go:

 

Footprints in the Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord.

Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.

In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.

Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,

other times there were one set of footprints.

 

This bothered me because I noticed

that during the low periods of my life,

when I was suffering from

anguish, sorrow or defeat,

I could see only one set of footprints.

 

So I said to the Lord,

"You promised me Lord,that if I followed you, you would walk with me always.

But I have noticed that during

the most trying periods of my life

there have only been one

set of footprints in the sand.

Why, when I needed you most,

you have not been there for me?"

 

The Lord replied,

"The times when you have

seen only one set of footprints,

is when I carried you.”

 

 

 Its lovely to think that whatever happens the Lord is always there. David could say, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil because you are with me! 

 

Now of course sometimes, it feels that God is not with us, when perhaps we sin so much that we feel that God couldn’t possibly still be ‘on our side’ as it were. But we forget that there is never any failure on God’s side. We are unfaithful but he is never unfaithful. God cannot stop loving us. He can never leave us. Jonah tried to run away from God, but God was still with him!

 

So maybe you feel that God is not particularly close to you at the moment. But in actuality God is still close to you, but you’ve turned your back on him! All you need to do is turn round and see that he is still there. God is only ever a prayer away!

 

Its a wonderful privilege to be able to say that we have God with us! In whatever situation we can turn to him for help and guidence. When temptation comes, when pressures come, when we just need somebody to talk to. Turn to God. The Lord sticks closer than a brother! 

 

Its a sad lyric we have hear, but one that some many people in the world can empathise with. After the party stops and the people go home. They are left with nothing and nobody. The younger son had plenty of friends when he had plenty of cash, but as soon as he ran out they left. 

God promises never to leave you, through the good times and the bad. What an amazing promise!