Father, I am so grateful for…You. A verse comes to mind quite often and I realize in context it is a part of Moses’ farewell speech to the Israelites but it is equally as applicable to me (to all of us) this day.

“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord Your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

And then, too, from Paul’s writings to the Ephesians,

“For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

We literally live in a war zone. Some days are relatively quiet and other days we are fighting for our lives. The evil of this world is out to take us down by whatever means it can… and as Paul says this evil is not human – humanity is but a tool used to accomplish its nefarious ends.

Looking about before this day’s journey, I do not know what it will hold. For me the only sure thing of this day is that You, Lord, “will personally go ahead of” me. You “will neither fail… nor abandon” me. Help me to trust You. Help me feel the reality of Your love for me. Help me to be a reality of Your love in a world of hurt and dying people. Help me to reflect my Savior to a world who so desperately needs You.

Jan 29th, Fri, 6:47 am