THE LORD WAS WITH US by Robert Soto

THE LORD WAS WITH US by Robert Soto

February 10, 2010

Genesis 39:23 "The warden paid no attention to anything under Joseph's care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did."

I wonder how long it took our people to realize that the battle against the white eyes was not going to be won. For most Indian people, the battle between them and the settlers ended in the late 1890's but for the Lipan Apaches, the last battle for the right to be free on their land came about 1915. So I often wonder when our people as a whole just looked at the impossibility of the task and gave up the fight. For most, I am sure the decision came early in the game but for some, like the Apaches, they kept on fighting and created new methods of warfare to make sure our freedoms would never be taken away from us. Unfortunately, as with all our Indian tribes, we eventually lost the battle and lost the means to continue to stay free.

As I was growing up I could not help but think that God the Creator had abandoned us and toward the end, we were left to fend for ourselves. I thought of all of my ancestors who lost their lives for the little freedoms we have even today. I'm not sure how to answer the question why we lost our rights for the land that we felt God the Creator had given us. But I do know one thing: no matter how hopeless the situation, God the Creator never abandons us. He is always alongside of us regardless of how hopeless things look. He is always walking next to you and He is eager to help and guide you in a new path. Joseph was sold as a slave by his brothers and thrown into prison by his master but regardless of the opposition, God was still with him. Moses wrote, "...the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did." Where was God when we lost everything? He was right there with us. He never forgot us. He never forsook us. He never left us alone. He was and continues to be with us.

Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of:

McAllen Grace Brethren Church
The Native American New Life Center
Chief of Chiefs Christian Church