Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:1-4 NLT

DEVOTION

Save through the fire with your mighty hand

But even if you don’t

My hope is you alone

I know the sorrow, and I know the hurt

Would all go away if you’d just say the word

But even if you don’t

My hope is you alone

You’ve been faithful, you’ve been good

All of my days

Jesus, I will cling to you

Come what may

‘Cause I know you’re able

I know you can

-Lyrics from “Even If” by MercyMe

This song is very dear to my family. It came when my dad was sick and the future was uncertain.

My dad loved the Lord. We grew up in a God-fearing home and were devoted to living a life for his name’s sake. But even knowing this and believing it, uncertainty crept in when my dad became ill.

Will he survive this?

Will he get better?

What if he can’t live at home anymore?

What if…

Fears, doubts, scary moments of the future became ever so real.

This song came on the radio when he and my sister got in the car after hearing he wouldn’t be able to get a kidney transplant. “Even if you don’t... my hope is You alone” rang out of the speakers. God could change my dad’s circumstances in one millisecond if he wanted to, but even if he didn’t, my dad was reminded in that moment, God will forever be his hope! God had been faithful throughout his life; he wasn’t going to stop now!

So, “Even If” became a song we held true to. God was faithful in the good times and the hard times in our family. Even if our worst fears came true, God was still good.

About four months after that moment in the car, our worst fear did come true. We lost my dad a little over two years ago now, and guess what? God still reigns! His faithfulness is real. His truth and his promises are real. He never promised that this life would be easy, but he did promise to hold you near. He did promise to walk with you and to encourage you.

In this season of unknown, stress, feelings of uncertainty for all of us right now, there is something we know that is ever so true: GOD IS FAITHFUL. God is with US; He is with YOU. In the hard and in the good.

Take a minute to remember and write down the times you saw God being faithful in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s good to reflect and hold onto the moments we have seen firsthand already.

PRAYER

Lord,

Thank you for your many blessings over our lives. Remind our hearts that you have been faithful all these years, and you will continue to walk with us through every season of life, good and hard. Help us to feel the armor and protection of your faithfulness in this season of unknown and help us to rest in your shadow.

Amen

Lindsey Harbaugh

Crossings Students Middle School Pastor

lharbaugh@crossings.church