I remember teaching my children how to swim. Once they could keep their head above the water, “doggy paddling,” we would put them a little further away from the side of the pool each time, and they would paddle to the pool’s edge. Occasionally they would run out of energy and not be able to make it to the side of the pool without a bit of help, but my wife or I were right there waiting to keep them from going under.

In a way, this is how God trains us. He will help us develop our trust in him, and perseverance, by letting us experience something we may not think we were capable of handling, but as we progress and stay in faith, when we think we cannot make it, God will be right there to give us enough help to complete the task.

Deuteronomy 31:8 says, “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God will not fail you. When you feel you cannot take any more, or cannot go any further, put your trust in God, he will be there to give you the support you need.

Dear Lord, you tell us many places in the Bible that you will not fail or abandon us. Help us remember this, and live with the confidence that if we are experiencing difficult times, they are there to strengthen us not to hurt us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.