多年前，我們全家去四角落（Four Corners）遊玩，那是美國唯一的四個州邊界的交會點。我丈夫站在標有亞利桑那州的一角，大兒子跳進猶他州的角落，小兒子沙維爾牽著我的手，一起踏入科羅拉多州的角落。當我走到新墨西哥州那一角時，沙維爾說：「媽媽，妳怎能撇下我，把我丟在這裡！」我們雖在一起卻又彼此相隔，四個不同的州都能聽見我們的笑聲。現在兒子們都長大了，不在身邊，我對上帝的應許有更深的體會，無論祂的兒女在何方，祂都必陪伴在他們身邊。

摩西死後，上帝呼召約書亞成為領袖，並向約書亞保證，當祂擴張以色列的疆土時，祂必與約書亞同在（約書亞記1章1-4節）。上帝說：「我怎樣與摩西同在，也必照樣與你同在；我必不撇下你，也不丟棄你」（5節）。上帝知道約書亞成為以色列百姓的新領袖，有時會感到懷疑與恐懼，因此，為了讓約書亞有信心，有堅定的盼望，上帝對他說：「我豈沒有吩咐你嗎？你當剛強壯膽！不要懼怕，也不要驚惶，因為你無論往哪裡去，耶和華你的上帝必與你同在。」（9節）

不論上帝引領我們或我們所愛之人前往何處，或是經歷何種困境，上帝都向我們保證，祂永遠與你我同在，還有什麼比這應許更能安慰人心呢？

Years ago, our family visited Four Corners, the only place in the United States where four states meet at one location. My husband stood in the section marked Arizona. Our oldest son, A.J., hopped into Utah. Our youngest son, Xavier, held my hand as we stepped into Colorado. When I scooted into New Mexico, Xavier said, “Mom, I can’t believe you left me in Colorado!” We were together and apart as our laughter was heard in four different states. Now that our grown sons have left home, I have a deeper appreciation of God’s promise to be near all His people wherever they go.

After Moses died, God called Joshua into leadership and guaranteed His presence as He expanded the Israelite’s territory (Joshua 1:1–4). God said, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” (v. 5). Knowing that Joshua would struggle with doubt and fear as the new leader of His people, God built a foundation of hope on these words: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (v. 9).

No matter where God leads us or our loved ones, even through difficult times, His most comforting commitment assures us that He’s always present.