By the pen of Charles Spurgeon:

Frequently we pray that God would not forsake us in our time of trial and temptation, but all too often we forget we have need of the above quoted prayer “at all times” (Job 27:10). There is not a moment of our lives, however holy that moment may be, in which we can make do without being upheld by His constant support. Whether in light or in darkness, whether in oneness with Him or being tempted to sin, we need the prayer: “O Lord, do not forsake me.”

“Uphold me, and I will be delivered” (Ps. 119:117). While learning to walk, a little child always needs his parent’s steady hand. And a ship without a captain at the helm immediately begins drifting from its course. We cannot do without constant aid from above, so today let your prayer be:

“Do not forsake me.” Father, do not forsake Your child lest I fall to the hand of the enemy. Shepherd, do not forsake Your lamb lest I wander from the safety of the fold. Great Gardener, do not forsake Your plant lest I fade, wither, and die. “O Lord, do not forsake me” now or at any moment of my life. Do not forsake me in times of great joy lest that joy turn my heart from You; and do not forsake me in times of sorrow lest I complain against You. Do not forsake me when I repent of sin lest I lose hope of Your pardon and fall into despair; and do not forsake me at the times of my strongest faith lest my faith degenerate into presumption of forgiveness.

“Do not forsake me,” for without You I am weak, but with You I am strong. Do not forsake me, for my path is dangerous and full of snares and I cannot live without Your guidance. The hen does not forsake her brood, so forever “cover [me] with [Your] feathers, and under [Your] wings [may I] find refuge” (Ps. 91:4). “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help” (Ps. 22:11). “Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior” (Ps. 27:9).

O ever in our cleansed breast,

Bid Thy Eternal Spirit rest;

And make our inner soul to be

A temple pure — worthy of Thee.

Reginald Heber, 1783 – 1826

By the pen of Jim Reimann:

Job asks the question of himself, “Does God listen to his cry when distress comes upon him? Will he find delight in the Almighty? Will he call upon God at all times?” (Job 27:9 – 10).

Christian friend, do you call upon God “at all times”? Or do you find yourself crying out to Him only when you feel you really need Him? The feeling of being able to “go it alone” during so-called good times is actually nothing short of pride, something the Lord hates. After all, “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” (Prov. 16:18). “So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!” (1 Cor. 10:12).

Remember, “It is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ” (2 Cor. 1:21).

Father, may I rest in You alone. Thank You that You are the One who causes me to “stand firm in Christ,” and may I trust in You “at all times.”