There’s this familiar story about a man walking with God along a beach, noticing two sets of footprints. He was assured it was God’s feet and his feet. During tough times, he noticed there’s only one set, and he wondered and questioned why God left. God replied, “It was my footprints you saw during the tough times; I carried you.” He was encouraged.
Friend, God has not left you (Psalm 22:1). Oftentimes, we think that God has left us because there’s no evidence of His presence around us. When it seems life has hit us hard and we are in the middle of nowhere, we should always remember that God has not left us. For the believer, God has promised never to leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5-6). This promise must encourage you at all times.
When you think God has left you, He’s actually more present than you think. This is why He is a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). Most times, we allow the problem to overwhelm us that we forget that God is present. Jehovah Shammah is the God who is always there (Ezekiel 48:35). He’s there before, during, and even after the problem.
Sometimes, what you call your worst season in life can be your best season if you learn to interpret God’s working correctly (Romans 8:28). This is why we walk by faith and not by sight. *For Joseph, he knew that God was present in all his struggles and challenges, which is why his countenance never fell for once (Genesis 40:7). What about you?
Have you allowed life’s circumstances to discourage you (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)? Are you going about with a fallen countenance because of what you are going through? What if you knew that God is with you all along? How would you feel? Like the man in our opening story, when you think you are pulling through all by yourself, you need to know that it’s God pulling you through, not you (Isaiah 46:4). God has not left you.
Like someone rightly said; if you ever think that God has left you, guess who moved? You are the one who moved (Luke 15:11-13). You are the one who stopped trusting God. You are the one who left God. Even at that, He’s always looking out for you (Luke 15:20). His watchful eyes are all over you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He is your ever-present help. Call on Him today.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria