My nephew had a school presentation. He was set to stand on stage and present in front of parents, teachers, and his classmates. He practiced diligently, likely spending extra time rehearsing to ensure he would not embarrass himself in front of so many watching eyes. When he stepped onto the stage, he was understandably nervous. He had prepared well, but in that moment, he needed reassurance from one person in the crowd, his mom.
He knew his mom wouldn’t be on stage with him, but simply knowing she was there meant everything. Her expression would tell him how he was doing. Instead of focusing on the many unfamiliar faces, he could fix his eyes on the one person whose approval mattered most. As he scanned the audience, he searched for her. Was she here? Where was she sitting? His mom noticed he was looking for her, so she gently stood up and waved. The moment he saw her, his confidence grew.
As I reflected on this, I found myself asking: How would I live differently if I truly believed the Lord is with me? How would I pray? How would I respond to challenges? How would I handle fear, setbacks, and uncertainty?
Today’s devotional is taken from Deuteronomy 31:6, the words of Moses, the leader God used to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and guide them through the wilderness for forty years.
Moses’ Final Words to Israel
Moses had faithfully led Israel for many years, constantly praying for them and pleading with God to show them mercy whenever they sinned. But during one difficult moment, the people’s stubbornness and complaints caused Moses to become angry and disobey God. As a result, God told Moses that although he would see the Promised Land, he would not enter it himself. Even so, Moses did not allow disappointment or bitterness to define his final days. As he prepared Israel to move forward without him, he gave the people one last powerful encouragement:
“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6
The Israelites stood at the edge of a new season with a new leader, Joshua. Ahead of them were the lands God had promised, powerful enemies, uncertainty, and many reasons to be afraid. Moses knew it would be easy for the people to focus on the size of the obstacles before them, so he reminded them of the truth that mattered most: God Himself would go with them. Their future would not depend on their military strength, experience, or numbers, but on the presence of God.
This serves as a reminder to us as well. We live in a fallen world where challenges are unavoidable, whether in relationships, parenting, career, or health. There will always be reasons to worry about the future. But just as Moses encouraged Israel, we too can take heart. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, confident that God will not fail us. And as we later see God faithfully lead Israel under Joshua’s leadership, we are reminded that He is able to come through for us as well.
Joshua’s Confidence
Joshua took up the mantle of leadership after Moses died, tasked with leading Israel into the Promised Land. Moses had performed miraculous signs and wonders, so Israel held him in deep reverence. Now Joshua was stepping into those same “big shoes,” and there was understandably a lot of uncertainty around him.
But God reassured Joshua that just as He had been with Moses, He would also be with him. The instruction was to be strong and courageous. It would take Joshua holding on to these words in faith to experience the remarkable victories God would bring through his leadership. Yet Israel was also learning something important through this transition, that their success never came from their own strength, or even the strength of their leaders. Their progress had always come from trusting God. As they later expressed in the Psalms;
“It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was Your right hand, Your arm, and the light of Your face, for You loved them.” Psalm 44:3
Although Israel still did what was required of them, training, marching, and fighting in battle, their confidence was anchored in God’s power to deliver them. At times, our challenges may look like giants while we feel like grasshoppers. Stepping into the fight may even look like certain defeat, but we do not wrestle in our own strength, and that is why our victory is secure.
Did Israel face setbacks? Yes. At times, even after God had clearly spoken to them, they stumbled or experienced losses. But they did not give up. They pressed on because they trusted how the story would ultimately end.
What Changes When You Believe God Is With You?
I had been praying about a breakthrough in my life, and I believed I received a word from God to proceed. I tried again and again, but each attempt ended in rejection. People around me encouraged me to move on, to count my losses and let go of the goal. But I couldn’t. I held onto what I believed I had heard, trusting that God would not lead me astray, so I kept pressing forward.
Eventually, just when I felt I had wasted years of effort and money and was ready to give up, God showed up in a way I did not expect. It reminded me that God does not allow us to be tested beyond what we can bear, and that even in long seasons of delay, He is still at work.
“Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again.” Proverbs 24:16
When life knocks you down, when sickness lingers, when grief overwhelms, or when setbacks come, you know your story is not over. You rise and stand your ground like the warrior you are, because God stands with you. You know who is in control. You know that when you pass through the fire, He is with you.
That confidence produces hope, hope for this life and hope for eternity. So you do not stay down.
Seeing Yourself Through God’s Eyes
The story of Gideon provides another powerful example, according to Judges 6.
Israel had once again sinned against God, and as a result, the Midianites oppressed them. The Midianites would come like a mighty army, destroying Israel’s crops and livestock and leaving the nation impoverished. Out of fear, the Israelites lived in hideouts in the mountains.
Gideon was threshing wheat in secret so he could hide it from the Midianites and provide food for his family when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said:
“The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Judges 6:12
Gideon was confused. Although he had heard stories of God’s power and deliverance, his present circumstances looked nothing like victory. He was even hiding from the enemy, and within his own household, his father had an altar to an idol, a stark reminder of how far Israel had drifted away from God. Nothing about Gideon indicated he was a mighty warrior. Yet God saw Gideon differently.
This is a hard truth to grasp at times, especially when our circumstances or past make us feel insignificant. But God does not measure us the way we often measure ourselves. Scripture shows us that we are deeply valued by Him, so much so that He gave everything for us in Christ (Romans 5:8). So even when we feel small or overlooked, God’s view is different. He calls us forward, not because of what we lack or possess, but because of who He is and what He can do through us.
But notice that before God used Gideon to deliver Israel, He first instructed him to tear down his father’s altar to false gods. It was a difficult first step, but it marked the beginning of Gideon learning to trust God above his fears and his surroundings.
It is often the same for us. God works in our lives in ways that stretch and refine us, gently removing the things that hold us back, our fears, doubts, and insecurities, so that we can grow into the purpose He has for us and live lives that make an impact.
God wasn’t focused on Gideon’s past or his present weakness, because He knew what He could do with a life fully surrendered to Him, regardless of the circumstances. Just as my nephew found boldness the moment he saw his mother in the crowd, Gideon found renewed confidence when he overheard the enemy recount a dream that revealed God was fighting for Israel. In that moment, Gideon knew with certainty that God was with him, and it changed everything.
And as God promised, He gave Israel victory through the hands of Gideon.
So how about you? What decisions would you make if you fully trusted that God is with you, guiding you, and not leaving you alone in what you face?
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14
God Keeps His Word
God does not make promises lightly.
“I will not violate My covenant or alter what My lips have uttered.” Psalm 89:34
If He says He will never leave you, He means it. His faithfulness does not depend on your emotions or circumstances. He remains present when life is steady and when it feels overwhelming.
I know the enemy is persistent, but we grow stronger as we continue to stand. As we pray, trust God, and refuse to give up, our faith matures. What once felt overwhelming begins to lose its power. so I encourage you, if your voice feels weak right now, keep praying. If your faith feels small, keep trusting.
If you are facing challenge after challenge, do not quit. In time, you will discover that God has been strengthening you all along.
Living Differently Because God Is With You
Knowing that God is with us changes not only how we handle major callings, but also how we live day to day. We can let go of malice, anger, jealousy, and striving because we know who is with us. We no longer have to live as though everything depends on our own strength and we can live at peace with all men because we are certain that He will never leave or forsake us.
Final Thoughts
Like my nephew standing on that stage, we all face moments when we feel nervous, exposed, and uncertain. The turning point comes when we lift our eyes and remember who is with us. The challenge may still be there and the circumstances may not change immediately. But the assurance of God’s presence changes how we face them.
God is with you. He will not leave you. He will not forsake you. And when you truly believe that, you can face anything life throws at you and overcome.