In the blink of an eye - 26 February 2024
By Benescke Janse van Rensburg
Um(Imi)bhalo weBhayibheli
UDuteronomi 31
Earlier this month, the British royal house announced that King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer. With Princess Catherine being booked off until the end of March, following a serious medical procedure at the same time, questions arose about the future of the royals.
Our lives can also change instantly – receiving bad news after a visit to the doctor, a meeting with an employer announcing a layoff, a divorce, a car accident leaving us paralysed or the death of a loved one. The trauma of realising that what we considered “normal” is gone forever, can lead some of us to dwell in the valley of the shadow of death. We may complain and even become depressed, forgetting that God wants to help us create a “new normal”.
Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Yes. In Deuteronomy 31:6, we read: “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.”
When we continue to walk through the valley of the shadow of death during the most difficult times, there will come a day when we look back and realise that God was with us the whole time. He does not change. None of our challenges can ever catch him off guard.
Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for never leaving me or forsaking me. Please keep me close to you during the most difficult times. I ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen