What does Deuteronomy 31:6 mean?
It's Moses telling Israel, and then Joshua, to be brave as they went into the land, because the LORD Himself would go with them and never leave them.
Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.
What it means
Moses was about to die, and Israel was about to face strong enemies without him. He tells them not to be afraid or terrified, and he gives one reason: “it is the LORD your God who goes with you.” Their courage didn't depend on their army. It depended on God.
“He will never leave you nor forsake you.” Leave means to let go; forsake means to abandon. God promises neither will happen. Two verses later Moses says the same to Joshua himself, and adds that the LORD goes before him. God doesn't just come along. He goes ahead.
The verses around it
Deuteronomy is Moses' last words to Israel before they crossed the Jordan. Verse 6 is to the whole people, verse 8 to Joshua, their new leader. Centuries later, the writer of Hebrews quotes this promise to Christians (Hebrews 13:5), so believers today can hold on to it too.
The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
The lies it answers
The thoughts this verse speaks to, in the words people use for them.
“I'm all by myself, and nobody cares.”
God goes before you and with you. You're not facing this by yourself.
Bible verses for when you feel alone“Something bad is coming and I won't be ready.”
Whatever is ahead, God is already there.
Bible verses for worrying about the future“I need to know how this ends.”
You don't know the road. The One who goes ahead does.
Bible verses for when you don't know what's going to happen
Say it out loud
I can be strong and courageous, because the Lord my God goes with me. He goes before me. He will never leave me or forsake me.
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Questions people ask
What does Deuteronomy 31:8 mean?
It's Moses' word to Joshua: “The LORD Himself goes before you; He will be with you.” God would lead the way and stay with him, so Joshua didn't need to be afraid or discouraged.
Is Deuteronomy 31:6 for Christians today?
It was spoken to Israel, but Hebrews 13:5 quotes God's promise never to leave or forsake and gives it to believers. So yes, the promise of God's presence is for all who belong to Him.
What's the difference between leave and forsake?
They're close. To leave is to let go or walk away. To forsake is to abandon someone for good. God says He'll do neither.
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