“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” – Deut 31: 6 (NIV)
The following blog contains sensitive subject matter.
Loneliness is something that all of us experience at times, and there is no doubt that its impact on humanity of late is at an all-time high. Scripture teaches time and time again about the faithfulness of God towards his people. He will never leave or forsake us. Even though at times we may feel alone and abandoned, the truth is, in Christ we are never alone. God is completely faithful towards His people. He is Emmanuel, God with us.
Recently one of our brilliant worship leaders, Rachel, introduced a new song to our church called “Never Walk Alone.” It was incredibly special watching her boldly declare the words “I have never walked alone, I’ve never been abandoned, You are my inheritance…..” She sang with such boldness and authority because this song resonated with her in personal way. Here is Rachel’s story:
“Most of the memories I have from childhood revolve around church. My grandparents were pastors, my mom was involved in different ministries, and my family and I rarely missed a Sunday morning or Wednesday night service. I’ve known about God my whole life, and from a young age I learned about His love and faithfulness, about His consistency and trustworthy nature. When I was 12, my mom went home to be with Jesus after battling cancer for 4 years. I began to question all I had been taught about who God was: if He was trustworthy and faithful, where was He in the darkest moments of my family’s life?
After four very dark years filled with grief, teen angst, and a feeling of immense loneliness, I found myself at a youth camp that I originally didn’t intend to go to, because I was over God and the mountaintop experiences that left nothing actually different. It was at this youth camp that I truly met Jesus for the first time. It was as if He took me by the shoulders, said “everything’s going to be okay” and turned the lights on; one moment I was depressed, feeling like I had no reason to be alive, and the next I was awake and filled with His hope and purpose. God will always accept whatever expectations we bring, whether small or large, positive or negative, and do something miraculous with them.
Over the last six years I have lived in the wake of this encounter. God has been kind to give me glimpses into my past, showing me His presence in each and every dark moment, through each and every feeling of loneliness and sorrow. It wasn’t until I sang Never Walk Alone for the first time that I realised – this relationship I have with God is what my mom left to me. God, and the faith I have in Him, is quite literally my inheritance, and He has proven himself faithful through the generations of my family.”
Never Walk Alone is an anthem that reminds our souls of the truth of who God is. I know it will bless all who hear it, and I’m eagerly awaiting to see how God will meet people afresh as a result of this song.
Our prayer is that you would be encouraged today through Rachel’s story and also as you worship with this song. You have confidence walking into the future knowing that the God who goes before you is forever faithful. Because of Him, we will never walk alone.
Hannah
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Sep 9 2021