Never Once

"I will not fail you or forsake you."

(Joshua 1:5)

I am currently reading through the book of Joshua.  What a wonderful example of what happens when people take God at His word.  

In the very first chapter of the book, God gives a charge to Joshua.  The Lord has called Joshua, following Moses' death, to lead the Israelites across the Jordan to claim the land that was promised to them.  In verse 5 of chapter 1, God commands Joshua to walk confidently on the mission He has called him to:

"No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life.  Just as I have been with Moses, I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you."

And He held true to His promise: He did not fail or forsake him.

There is a song that has been impressed upon my heart.  We have sung it in church several times lately and it just reminds me that my confidence must rest in the Lord.  Here are the lyrics by Matt Redman ...   

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

The truth is - there have been hardships I have faced along the way.  I have experienced heart break, betrayal, insecurity, loneliness, sickness, and so on.  Scars and struggles on the way.  But here's the other truth - My God has been present amidst it all.  He has never failed me and He has never forsaken me.  But with joy our hearts can say never once did we ever walk alone.  

Joshua was assured of the presence of his God.  He was able to walk confidently in the direction God was sending him because he took God at His word.  Whatever you are facing today, perhaps you just need to be reminded that the Lord your God is on your side.  I will ask you the same question I have been prompted to ask myself: Are you taking God at His word? 

Because no matter what we are up against ... 

He will never let us walk it alone.

Never once.