StrongSample

  

Not Alone

Julie Martin

Ready:

“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

Set:

Persia was much like our culture today—motivated by power, pleasure, and possessions. Esther was queen when Haman, the second-most-powerful man in the land, persuaded King Xerxes to reprehend the millions of Jews in the kingdom to death. She put her life in jeopardy by approaching Xerxes and revealing that she was a Jew. Xerxes changed his mind, and the Jews were delivered. This took strength and courage in God to do such a brave thing. 

There is an unbreakable bond between teammates who go to battle every day on the field, track, or court—because together they accomplish the impossible. When you go into the huddle with the next play you know you have the backing of your teammates to make that play happen. You are not expected to face the challenge alone.

As a follower of Jesus, life is lived the same way. Whatever we face, we do not face alone. The Bible tells us, “…the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Though Ester faced King Xerxes alone, she had the courage to do so because she knew that her team (the Jews) was praying for her.

Go:

1. How have you shown strength and courage to your teammates?

2. If you had to put together a team to accomplish a very difficult task, whom would you ask to be your teammates?

3. Has there ever been a time when you panicked and someone was there to help you? Please share.

  

Overtime:

Lord, when I am faced with a difficult challenge, help me to trust You to go ahead of me so that I can fight with strength and courage.