The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?

The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psalm 118:6

In the Bible, the writer to the Hebrews picks up on this verse and encourages the reader to say it with confidence.

“So we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?’” Hebrews 13:6

In context the writer is telling us to be content with what we have because the Lord will never leave us nor forsake us. v.5

This verse originates in Deuteronomy 31:6 “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.”

One of the last things Jesus says to His disciples whilst on earth was “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Joshua as he was instructed to take the land that God was giving them was assured of God’s presence, of God’s strength and provision. Yes, God was with Moses but now God assures Joshua that He will be with him as well.

Joshua 1:5-9 “I will not leave you or forsake you. 6Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. 7Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

No matter where Joshua was, no matter what difficulties he faced along the way, God would be there right with him. He would be on Joshua’s side. All Joshua had to do was obey and trust.

Don’t we ALL need to know that at times. That God is on our side, even when it feels like our whole lives are falling apart.

I’ve needed to know that amazing truth and still have to be reminded continually that God is on my side. What a comfort!

When the battle rages and the enemy is hot on my heels, I know that the Lord is on my side. It doesn’t always feel like that which is why we have to be reminded by God’s word.

When I returned home after over six months of living in hospital and a rehabilitation centre with our son following his accident, I knew I had a mountain to climb. That mountain for me was returning with Nathanael to the place where the accident happened.

I know God said to me that He would walk that walk with me. That He would help me overcome this massive obstacle that stood before me. It was a giant to face, a personal Goliath and He enabled me to overcome. Overcoming isn’t a once for all job, it has to be done time and time again. As I travel up that same driveway to work each day, I need God who is on my side.

David was able to say to Goliath “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. And “All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Sam 17:45;47

With God on our side, the battle, the fight is God’s not our own. I could never have survived what we have been through personally unless God had fought for me and for us.

Isn’t it wonderful to know that the Creator of all things, the God who holds all things together by His mighty power, the God who was before all things, the God who spoke and it happened is on OUR side.

I love Paul’s words in Romans 8. “If God is for us, who can be against us. Romans 8:31.

With God on our side NOTHING can separate us from Him and His love. “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” Romans 8:35

With God on our side we are more than conquerors. With God on our side, whether we live or die, whether we have plenty or are in want, whether we mourn or are rejoicing we are on the winning side. In fact we are on the side that has already overcome. Jesus said it is finished! He defeated sin, Satan and all the powers of darkness and also death itself.

Prayer: Lord, we are so thankful that we have You to not only be on our side, but to also fight the battle for us. Yes, You ask us to stand, to be strong, to be courageous in You and therefore do what we can, but the rest is for You. Thank You. Amen