Maneuvers - No. 82
You Can
Count on Me
Think back to a time when you felt abandoned or left behind. How did that experience make you feel? How did it influence how you respond in relationships—how you trust others even now?
If we’re being honest with ourselves, most of us struggle with at least some level of distrust. And it makes sense… The world has let us down many times. We’ve been disappointed. Betrayed. Forgotten. Rejected. Left out.
But there’s one who will never reject us, never leave us behind.
He’s the one who searches for us relentlessly until he finds us. He sees where we’ve been and has beautiful dreams for where he wants to take us. He makes a way through impossible situations—ways we couldn’t even dream up on our own.
This is who Jesus is to us… because we’re his chosen ones—the ones he loves. That’s a bond this world can never break (although it may try).
We can see this incredible love displayed over and over again in the Scriptures. With Abraham, with Moses, with Rahab, with Joshua, with Ruth, with Mary… and so many others.
What do these men’s and women’s lives show us? As we’ll learn in today’s FLAG message, they reveal how our God loves us, too. How he protects and provides and never gives up on us.
So come… let’s listen and be encouraged.
01.
The Message
“Don't forget me. Don't forget what I have done. Don't forget the places where I've been. The stories of old are in the room with you, part of your story, too. They are not far away, distant and unrelated to your life. How Abraham looked into the sky, at my voice, and saw the promise of hope, of generations knowing my name. And Moses trusting me with his words was just the beginning, wasn't it? For there was another step—and another—and much persecution and questions he had to endure. And yet he clung to me. And Joshua, I loved how he held onto me with all his might! Will you hold me so closely, child? Will you wrestle with me in the darkness? Will you trust that I am good, and I will bless you if you only do not let me go?
“And Hagar's, my daughter's, pain, how she felt alone and mistreated, her heart aching and her spirit quivering with fear. I feed my children in the desert. I give them water to drink. I lay out the dreams before them. I create a path where there was no path. I stay close and do not desert the ones I love.
“I love you. I do not desert you now.
“Marinate in the stories of the children whose names you know, the lineage of a family that is yours to claim. You are described in my book here. You are welcome to walk on this holy ground. In this land of challenge and suffering, I make a way in the desert. In this desolate wilderness and confusing circumstances, I make what is unclear plain. I give you what you need to trust in me, lean into difficult moments rather than run away from them, and inhabit a place of security in your heart from knowing you are loved. I go before you. You are okay.
“Take the courage I give you now. Take the fuel you need most—my love to cover, shield, motivate, and direct you. You are on the battleground where I have placed you and have all you need to fight: kindness, perseverance, trust, dedication, wisdom, and hope in me. Cling to your King. Cling to the one who goes before you, knows the way, and will never let you down. I am above and below, behind and before everything you know, and everything you don't. Rest in my strength, not your own. You can do what is before you. You can count on me.”
02.
Listen
How does your heart respond when you read the words “You can count on me”? Do you trust them—or want to? Let’s set a timer for three minutes and write out our response to the Lord.
03.
Think
“So she [Hagar] called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, ‘You are a God of seeing,’ for she said, ‘Truly here I have seen him who looks after me’” (Genesis 16:13, ESV).
1. Where do you feel thirsty, abandoned, or forgotten?
2. How do you long to see Jesus satisfy you in those thirsty places? Where do you hunger for more of him and to feel seen by him?
3. Where do you struggle to trust others—or to trust God? How does today’s message challenge that distrust? What is Holy Spirit saying to you now?
04.
Trust
Have you ever read the Bible and felt as though it didn’t apply to you? Maybe you knew in your head that it was true, but the words and promises just didn’t feel true to you at that moment?
We (Jennifer and Justin) have been there, too.
And yet God’s promise to all his children stands firm: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10, ESV, emphasis added).
Today, let’s align our hearts with that truth. If we can, let’s go on a walk (or if time doesn’t allow, we can imagine it). Breathe in deeply the fresh air and notice the trees and the wind and the birds around you—every living thing sustained by Jesus himself.
If possible, look for glimpses of God’s provision… a mother bird feeding her young, a fish gobbling up a piece of bread at the surface of the water, a flower stretching itself out to receive the sun and rain.
Now, let’s find a spot where we can feel uninhibited. It might be alone in a park or in our own backyard. Let’s close our eyes, lift our face upward, and stretch out our arms. As we stretch out our fingers, let’s imagine we’re offering up every area where we feel alone, dejected, or forgotten. Let’s ask Jesus to take these burdens and show us how he is right here with us, protecting and providing for us—how he sees us.
How did this exercise impact you, friend? Did the Lord reveal a comforting truth? Or challenge a lie that’s been holding you back?
Now, let’s respond in prayer…
05.
Pray
Jesus, you say you are with me, that you see me and will strengthen me and help me. Right now, I choose to believe that—even if I don’t feel it. Show me how to trust you and rest in the fact that you will never desert me.
I want to be with you. I want to know you better. Remove my hesitation. Help me walk with you and hear your voice more clearly. Let me experience your freedom and your joy, no matter what I’m going through.
I choose to trust you. I love you so much, Jesus.
In your name I pray, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
