By my side

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

Jacqueline Alnes said that from the time she started running competitively in middle school, her dad was always by her side cheering her on, calculating her splits and forecasting race day weather. "Long distance running was our love language" she said. But soon after she started running cross country in college, she began experiencing seizures and episodes of incoherence and amnesia that forced her to quit the team. Before telling her father, her first thought, she said, was, "Would he still love me the same?" And you know what? As a good father does, his love never wavered and he continues to be by her side as she pursues a clear diagnosis. 

And you know what? Even if you and I don't have an earthly father by our side that supports and loves us unconditionally like that, we do have a heavenly Father that does. In fact, the psalmist was so sure of that, that he wrote, "The Lord is on my side; I will not fear." And in a world where it seems there is more to fear every day - like senseless shootings, unstable job markets and social unrest - can you imagine being able to confidently make that statement? Well you can. Because, after all these years, His promise still stands. 

So no matter what you're facing today, remember that you're not facing it alone. Mourning the death of a loved one? He is there to comfort you. Staring at a crossroads and need to make a decision? He is there to guide you. Feeling helpless and weak? He is there to give you strength. No matter what it is my friend, He is there... right by your side and you have nothing to fear. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that we are never alone because You have promised to always be by our side. Help us to believe that Lord, that we might live free from fear and boldly attempt great things. After all, with You by our side, we have all we will ever need to do both. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Never alone - Matt Redman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n1bXG4WIesA