We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:8-9 NLT

This scripture came attached to a devotional a friend forwarded to me yesterday and as is true of much these days I was reminded of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was "pressed on every side by troubles" and at any point could have thrown up his hands and given up/picked up his toys and gone home.

He didn't though. He knew that God would not abandon him. He knew that he was not alone in what he was doing, regardless of how alone he may have felt. This is the beauty of a true relationship with God. The beauty is that you still suffer, you are still challenged, you still face ridicule. All that said....you have Him.

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 NIV

Think of those in your life who you are closest to: family, friends. People that you trust. People that trust you. It is very likely that this list is small for most of us. Is there anyone on this list who you are assured will never leave you and never forsake you? This does not mean that we do not need friends and family/that we do not need Christian brothers. We do. It does however illustrate who we have in Jesus if we put our faith and our trust in our Heavenly Father.

K