Not Made to Be AloneSample

God Is With You

Read: Deuteronomy 31:1–8

SOAP: Deuteronomy 31:6

“Be strong and courageous! Do not fear or tremble before them, for the Lᴏʀᴅ your God is the one who is going with you. He will not fail you or abandon you!”

Into the Text

God has given us a beautiful taste of community by giving us a relationship with Himself. Finding a biblical community means discovering a group of people who love and obey God, who reflect His image to the world around them as they encourage one another to remain close to Jesus every day. It is not about exclusive small groups, cliques, or popularity contests, but about finding others, both men and women, who are committed to prioritizing their relationship with God, and who want to help you do the same.

When we love and obey God, when we remain close to Jesus, we can hold fast to the promise that He will be with us. He will not leave or abandon us. In today’s reading, although Moses would never enter the Promised Land, God continued to keep His promises. He was with the Israelites, and He would go before them to clear the way. Moses commanded the people to not be afraid. No matter what they were about to face, God was not only going before them, but He was also with them. God does not fail His people, nor does He abandon them.

The word community comes from the Latin prefix con- (which means "together") and the word munis (which has to do with performing services). It is a feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. God could simply go before us, clear the path and leave us to follow along behind Him. But He chooses to also be with us, in community, moving forward together as we take our next steps to grow closer to Him and to grow and connect with those around us.

Fellowship. Together, with. Our relationship with God is active, close, and personal, not distant and cold. And our promise-keeping God tells us, once again, that He will never fail us, or abandon us. Do not be afraid or discouraged!