Lord, Is This Promise Really For Me?

Ever wonder if the promises God whispered through His word are really promises you can hold on to? This morning, I silently read: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, NIV)

I questioned. "Oh, Lord, is this promise really for me? Will you deliver me? Will you be with me, like you were with Moses, Joshua and all of Israel?

Instantly, God filled my mind with a thought from my past. I was nineteen and going through a really difficult period of time.  One evening in particular, I felt completely alone. I whispered a prayer.

"Lord, please let me know you are with me and that I'm not all alone."

I sat waiting for a waitress to take my order.

"What can I get you to drink?" She asked.

"Mmmm. I'd like a Pepsi, please."

She looked to my right, smiled and nodded her head as she turned to leave. Hmmm. She's a strange one. I thought.

A few minutes later, she delivered my soda and sat a glass of water to my right. "I'll give you a few more minutes she said and be back to take your order."

"Thank you." I replied.

I continued to look through the menu. The place was packed. Again, I whispered. "God I feel so alone. Please let me know you are near."

At least ten more minutes went by before my waitress returned. "Did he leave you?" She asked.

"Sorry?"

"Is he coming back?" She reiterated.

"Is who coming back?"

"The young man who was with you."

"Mam. I'm alone. Have been the whole evening."

She laughed.

I stared. 

"No, the young man who was with you. Did he leave?"

"Mam. I assure you. I've been alone the whole evening."

She squirmed and looked puzzled. "Ummm. Ok!" There was a long delay and an awkward silence. Finally, she asked, "Well then, can I take your order?"

I offered my order, thinking her extremely odd. But, as she turned to walk away, I recalled my prayer. "Lord, let me know you are near!"

Friend, to this day, I have no idea why my waitress that evening was convinced someone had been with me. I honestly don't know whether she saw someone (physically) sitting to my right. She could have easily confused me with another table. I don't know if God allowed her to see one of the angels that He has surrounding me...

What I do know is...as she turned away God reminded me of my prayer. What I do know is...I instantly felt loved. What I do know is...that circumstance has encouraged me many times throughout life...What I do know is...Psalm 91:11 promises, "For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." (NIV)


We may feel strangely alone. We may feel isolated. We may wonder if God is near.

But...my dear friend...God promises, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Joshua 1:5, NIV)

So today, I'm going to look for God, EXPECTANTLY! I'm going to trust HIM, no matter what! I'm going to remember...He is NEAR! I hope you will too!

Today, as you go through your day, I encourage you to hold fast to Micah 7:7. It says, "But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness, the Lord is a light for me."