God The Father | The Father Who is Present

About this talk:

Deuteronomy 31:1-8 records Moses making two announcements not long before his death. The first to all the people which concludes, “Be strong and courageous. 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.” And the second specifically to Joshua which ends, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Much in this passage is context-specific - Moses not being permitted to enter the promised land, taking possession of that land, defeat of other nations - but the rest of Scripture makes clear that God’s promise to go “with you” and to “never leave you nor forsake you” is applicable to all of God’s people through all of time - see, for example, Matthew 28:20; Hebrews 13:5. 

While we can rightly say that God is present in all of creation - in one sense he truly is everywhere, filling all things - it was always his intent to dwell specially with his chosen people. This is something the Bible progressively reveals to us, from God walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:8) right through to the new creation where “God’s dwelling-place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God” (Revelation 21:2-3). In between, he was with his people throughout the Old Testament in varying ways and varying degrees (in the pillar of cloud / fire, in the temple, in the words of the prophets, in miraculous power). He was supremely with us in the person of his Son, is with us now by his Spirit, calls us to himself when we die and will be with us fully forever in resurrection life when Jesus returns.

The way in which God is present with his people is important to contemplate. We all know what it’s like to have someone present, but disengaged, disinterested or distracted. God, in contrast, is present in the sum of his perfections - he is present in holiness, in purity, in power, in knowledge, in compassion, all of which (and many more attributes) he is constantly.

And so he has time for us (given that he is unlimited and not constrained by time as we are), such that he can be fully present with each of his children all the time. He is present with unlimited love - a love that is neither diluted by the attention of so many children, nor dimmed by our sinfulness. He is present to listen and to act on our behalf. He is present to speak - through his Word, his people, circumstances, etc. He is present to change us from one degree of Christlikeness to another.

Our part is to cultivate an awareness of his presence, to delight in the remarkable privilege that God is with us and to allow his presence to shape us, leading us away from sin and to “Be strong and courageous. [To] not be afraid or terrified because of [anything], for the Lord your God goes with you.”

Audio only

Life Group activity

As part of our series on God as Father, this week we’re exploring what it means that He is the Father who is present.

Key Passage

Please read Deuteronomy 31:1–8, focusing especially on:

Deuteronomy 31:8 “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

How To Use This Guide

1. Introduction (Leader to Read)

We’re continuing our series about God as Father, and tonight we’re looking at the truth that He is the Father who is present.

2. Discussion Groups

Divide into groups of 4–6 people. Encourage groups to make brief notes.

3. Regather & Share

After 10 minutes of discussion time:

• Come back together.

• Invite each group to share one or two highlights from their conversation (no need to answer every question).

If time allows, see the optional reflection section at the end.

Discussion Sections

1. “The Lord Himself…”

This is deeply personal language.

Not:

• An angel

• A force

• A principle

• A distant supervisor

But the Lord Himself.

Explore Together:

• Why do you think Moses emphasises “Himself”?

• What difference does it make that it’s not a representative?

• When life feels uncertain, what do we tend to want instead of God Himself?

Go Deeper:

• Do you relate to God more as an idea, a doctrine, or a present Father?

• What would change if you truly believed God personally involves Himself in your life?

Reflection:
Sometimes we want God to send help. This promise is that He comes.

2. “Goes Before You…”

This speaks to the future.

Israel is about to enter unknown territory. Moses is leaving. Leadership is changing.

And the promise is: You are not walking into somewhere God hasn’t already been.

Explore Together:

• What future situation feels uncertain for you right now?

• How does it change things to believe God is already there?

• What fears shrink when you remember He goes ahead?

Stretch Question:

• Do you tend to live as though you are scouting your own future?

• How might you pray differently this week, knowing God is already ahead?

Reflection:
God is not reacting to your tomorrow. He is already present in it.

3. “Will Be With You…”

This is present-continuous reassurance.

Not just ahead.
Not just sovereign above.
But with.

Explore Together:

• What is the difference between saying “God is present” and knowing “God is with me”?

• What practices help you become more aware of His presence during the day?

• Where right now do you most need to be reminded that God is with you?

Go Personal:

• If you walked into tomorrow deeply aware God was with you, what would look different?

• How would your tone change? Your courage? Your patience?

Reflection:
His presence is not abstract theology. It’s companionship.

4. “Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You.”

This is covenant loyalty language.
It speaks directly to our fear of abandonment.

Israel had known slavery, wandering, and uncertainty.
Humans fear being left.

Explore Together:

• Where does fear of abandonment show up in human life?

• Why do you think this promise is repeated so often in Scripture?

• Briefly share a time when you experienced the truth of this promise.

Deep Reflection:

• What lies do we believe when life is painful?

• What would it mean to anchor yourself in God’s unbreakable commitment?

Summary Thought:

He doesn’t withdraw when you struggle.
He doesn’t distance himself when you fail.
He doesn’t abandon you when you’re weak.

Closing Thought

Courage in this passage is not rooted in:

• Clarity

• Control

• Capability

It is rooted in Presence.

The Father who calls you forward is the Father who walks with you and refuses to leave you.