Be strong and courageous. Don't be afraid or scared of them, for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 WEB.

Sometimes, we can become so withdrawn that we begin to feel that it is us against the world. That no one cares or even notices what we are going through and struggling with. Even in the middle of a crowd, we can feel alone, and all the while, God seems silent.

Yet, we are not alone. The Lord tells us repeatedly through scripture to be strong and courageous, just like He instructed Joshua. We are not to live in fear and dread, for He is with us and will never leave nor forsake us. No one can snatch you out of His hand. When the enemy comes in, like a flood, God will raise up a standard against him. What I have learned is this:

1) God's silence does not mean He is mad with you.
2) God's silence does not mean He has given up on you.
3) God's silence does not mean He has forgotten you.
4) God's silence does not mean you have gotten off course.

His silence is like a dramatic pause in poetry, and the next thing He says will often be vital instructions. In early 2012, for three months, I was covered with His presence every day. I would lay on the floor in my music room and pray for two to three hours at a time, soaking, basking in His presence. The Holy Spirit would descend like a warm blanket when I entered the room, and there was nowhere that I would rather be.

Then came several months of dry, lonely silence. When I would pray, I heard and felt nothing. It was as if the heavens were made of brass. At the same time, our business dried up, and the bills began to pile up. I did not hear from Him for several months. Eventually, I began to feel abandoned and desperate. Then one morning, I went into my room and sat down on a bean bag, He spoke, and by Friday, we found ourselves in full-time ministry.

If your conscience is clear with no nagging feeling to correct something in your life, continue on your path until you get new directions. There have been many times in my life that I thought that I was off His path. That I must be because I could no longer hear from the Lord. That somewhere, I had missed a turn and was walking alone.

Looking back, it always turned out that I was merely on a straight part of the road and didn't need a course correction at the time. Eventually, the next door would open up, the Lord would speak to me again, and I would realize that He had been there the entire time. I merely had to go from point A to point B, and I wouldn't be here if I hadn't first been there. He tends to give us new directions at the crossroads.

So be encouraged today, for no matter where you are, you are not alone. For it is the Lord God Almighty who goes with you. When the trouble comes, so will the answer. Keep the Lord first in your life, and all the other things will fall into place as needed. Don't fear what may come tomorrow, for you will be prepared to face it when it gets here.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I know that You are here, and I choose to believe that all things will work together for good, whether I understand them or not. Please walk with me and talk with me today. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!

Note: The FAAD (Fight Against Anxiety & Depression) hosts "Feel Good Friday" at RHM each week! All are welcome to share a moment, thought or prayer to lift the spirits of the fellowship! Feel Good Friday takes place on the home page at RHM! As always, If you have a prayer need, we are here for you! We and the prayer team are ready to lift you up at our private prayer page: RHM Prayer Network