“It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.”

-Deuteronomy 31:8

I found this verse quite comforting as I read it as part of a devotional a few weeks back. I was right smack in the middle of uprooting the life I had known and grown quite comfortable in. These words, which are attributed to Moses, talk about someone who left his “comfortable” life for something else entirely. He was directing his words at Joshua (as well as the rest of the people) who God had chosen as Moses’ successor in leading the nation of Israel, another individual who was being given an awesome responsibility. But one thing remained true    regardless of who was leading the people, God was with them. Isn’t it reassuring to know that the Lord is with us as we set out on any journey. We are also offered reassurance because we know that our God will not fail us or forsake us. While it isn’t always easy to push those fears of the unknown aside, we are told to do so because, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The task ahead of us is never as great as the power behind us.”

I would also like to take just a moment to thank everyone here at Emmanuel for welcoming me and my family to Blissfield. We have appreciated the encouraging words and especially your prayers as we have relocated with our two little ones. We are very much looking forward to finally getting settled in to our new life and living, worshipping and serving with all of you.

God Bless,

Devin