Hi, welcome to today's encouragement from Our Daily Bread.

Today's reading titled Preserved was written by James Banks.

While I was clearing out the garden in preparation for spring planting, I pulled up a large clump of winter weeds and leapt into the air.

A venomous copperhead snake lay hidden in the undergrowth just below my hand, an inch lower, and I would have grabbed it by mistake.

I saw its colorful markings as soon as I lifted the clump.

The rest of it was coiled in the

weeds between my feet. When my feet hit the ground, a few feet away, I thanked God I hadn't been

bidden, and I wondered how many other times he had kept me from dangers I never knew were there.

God watches over his people. In Deuteronomy

31, Moses told the Israelites as they prepared to enter the promised land, 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.

They couldn't see God, but he was with them nonetheless.

Sometimes difficult things happen that we may not understand,

but we can also reflect on the number of times God has preserved us without our even being aware.

Scripture reminds us that his perfect, providential care remains over his people every day.

He's always with us.

Now let's listen to the promises found in God's Word. This is today's Our Daily Bread Devotional Scripture reading taken from the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy, chapter 31 verses 1 through 8.

Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel.

I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you.

The Lord has said to me, you shall not cross the Jordan.

The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you.

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