by David Brenneman
"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
"You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light
Whom shall I fear
You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
My strength is in your name
For you alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side
And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding on to your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
Nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I'm holding on to your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful
You are faithful
I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side"
Chris Tomlin - Whom Shall I Fear
Although there are times when I have stumbled and fell, when sin has reared its ugly head, it matters not because my Savior is still standing by my side.
It's taken a great many years to comprehend the complexity of life in the battles between my new nature in Christ and my sin nature. Been years and I'm probably only beginning to maybe understand how fierce the battles can be.
Having been that generation that grew up watching M*A*S*H, it possibly provides some perspective on what the horrors of battle do to the mind and body of a person.
Some of the, in my mind, more powerful episodes were those with Dr. Sydney Freedman. Those battles that he ran into were in the mind. But also to see the struggles of those in post-op. How difficult it was to just lay there awaiting healing. Sometimes the follow-up surgeries.
Jesus told the parable of the Good Samaritan. Of the Samaritan finding the guy in his wounded state and picking him up and providing a means to get him both to safety and a place to heal. First off Jews and Samaritans did not interact this way. Add to it he was different from others in his compassion.
It is one thing to look back on your life and relish or shudder at the highlights that you remember. But how often do you ponder the times when the Savior made you lie down to await healing?
Going back to the show, many times the nurses were the central character because they were there not only to administer medicine but compassion. An episode that stands out is one where a nurse went along with what a soldier was seeing only in his minds eye.
Our Savior and Lord knows our battles way better than we do. He knows our hearts better than we do. His Spirit knows every single dastardly secret we fool ourselves into either choosing to forget or that we hope gets overlooked.
He knows every single wound we have and what brought it about.
His work in us isn't going to end until we are finally in His presence, an acceptable glorified person, who was adopted into the family of God.
He will stay at our side no matter what comes our way. No matter what happens in our lives. No matter if we choose to sin or choose to obey He remains at our side.
Of course the recommended path is to willingly be at His side in obedience to His Word and purpose for our lives.
But maybe today you're hurting, you're not feeling well, you're struggling, you're stressed.
"The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.
Whatever He allows in your life...turn to Him with a whole heart and do not let go. He made a promise and He always keeps His promises.
Always by My Side.
All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.
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