God is with us

He found them in a desert land, in an empty, howling wasteland. He surrounded them and watched over them; he guarded them as he would guard his own eyes. Like an eagle that rouses her chicks and hovers over her young, so he spread his wings to take them up and carried them safely on his pinions. The Lord alone guided them; they followed no foreign gods. He let them ride over the highlands and feast on the crops of the fields. He nourished them with honey from the rock and olive oil from the stony ground. Deuteronomy 32:10-13 From the text, God told the Israelites that He continuously watches over those who are determined in their commitment to Him. They were in their helpless condition but God rescued them. When He found them, He made His presence known by providing for their needs. Every time they were consistent on their allegiance to Him and will not turn to others gods, they experienced His guidance. But sad to say that despite of God’s faithfulness, there were several times that they wavered in their commitment. After God led them out of Egypt and experienced His presence daily, they still resorted to turning to idols. This took place when Moses went up to Mount Sinai to receive the details of their covenant from God. God rebuked them from their rebellion and expressed His disappointment over their lack of consistency in their commitment to Him. “How quickly they have turned away from the way I commanded them to live!” (Deuteronomy 9:12). When King Asa realized that the Israelites were not capable of defeating the Ethiopians, He cried out to God and asked for His help. “Then Asa cried out to the Lord his God, “O Lord, no one but you can help the powerless against the mighty! Help us, O Lord our God, for we trust in you alone. It is in your name that we have come against this vast horde. O Lord, you are our God; do not let mere men prevail against you!” (2 Chronicles 14:11). God answered his prayers and provided them victory. But this expression of commitment did not last long for King Asa for he turned to the king of Aram and conceded that he has no capability to defeat king Aram’s army. This was inspite of previous victories God provided for the Israelites. King Asa was rebuked by God for his inconsistency in His commitment and his becoming so easily despondent when faced with challenges. “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you” (2 Chronicles 16:7-8). When facing life’s challenges do not just easily give up. Even when it seemed impossible to find solution and that you are too weak to fight the battle remain committed to God and do not give up. He is there constantly watching over us and His desire is to demonstrate His presence by providing us strength so we could persevere. “The eyes of the Lord search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). There is no doubt that He cares and is capable of giving you strength so you could endure in times of trials. All He wants from you is to remain faithful and let Him work His will for your life. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).

Blessings,