The Truth That Holds Us Secure

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6

I woke with a jolt — heart shocked, mind reeling. I felt like I’d run a hundred marathons in minutes. My thoughts were slick with lies and unreasonable worries. I’d been racked with anxiety for the past few weeks — fallout from the trauma of three ER visits in a month, my husband and myself sick with COVID-19 — and absolute terror of the unknown.

I couldn’t relax, couldn’t get myself back to sleep because of the fear that pushed me awake, taunting that this was all there was, a new way of living that allowed me no rest. I blinked and called out to God in the night, repeating promises He had given to me.

The thoughts didn’t slow, but somehow His words slipped through the stream of my anxiety. There, I held on to Him whom I couldn’t see, knowing He was fighting on my behalf. My husband relayed this confirmation as we sat in bed, and I breathed, “God is my refuge, my strength, my deliverer” (Psalm 46:1, paraphrased).

Over and over, I spoke these words, telling myself He is near. He is trustworthy. He is for me, and I am His daughter.

Anxiety can paralyze; worry can wrap us in a shroud of dread. But it’s there, in the throes of worried thinking, that we stretch our faith and take stock in a steady God who carries us through our suffering and fears. He is our rhythm that we repeat again and again, following His light in the valley.

• When we feel like we can’t hold on to anything else, we can hold on to His Word.

That’s where He meets us. His truth flashes in the fog, a beacon guiding us back to Him, even in our frantic fears.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. — Deuteronomy 31:6

I will never leave you nor forsake you, His voice whispers once the winds of worry wind down. Though our emotions may say otherwise, truth holds us secure.

He is with us in the storm, in the madness, in the spiral of thoughts that sends our emotions reeling and our brains off track. Feelings are fickle, but facts stand firm. When faced with “what if?” and “why?” we pull our minds away from the unknown and toward His face. We look for the mini miracles every day — God’s manna in the wilderness. We hold them in our hearts, give thanks, and savor.

Even when we don’t feel it, God holds us in the palm of His hand and does not let us go.

I will never leave you nor forsake you.

His guarantee. As I lay back down and pulled the covers over my shoulders, I clung to what I knew about Him, scriptures stuck on my lips. I am not alone. He is my assurance. And He makes good on His word.

Father, You say You are with me. Be my Prince of Peace. Steady my thoughts and be my assurance in the storm. Never will You leave me nor forsake me. You are my comfort and safe place. I’m believing this, for You alone let me dwell in safety. In Jesus’ name, amen.

~ Sarah Freymuth

Excerpted with permission from Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart by Lysa TerKeurst and the Proverbs 31 Team, copyright Proverbs 31 Ministries.

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Your Turn

Has worry can wrapped you in a shroud of dread? Is fear stealing your sleep and your peace? God is our refuge, our strength, and our deliverer. We are His beloved children. He will never ever leave us or forsake us! Hang onto that today and thank Him that He holds us secure. ~ Devotionals Daily