GOD PROMISES HIS CONTINUAL PRESENCE
The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6 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.” Deuteronomy 31:5-6
When he was 120 years old, Moses turned over leadership of the Jewish people to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:1-6). Through Moses, God promised Joshua and the whole nation they would finally enter their Promised Land by God’s provision and protection. Remembering what God had done in the past (verse 4) would help them trust Him in the present. That’s good advice for us today as well. Follow Joshua (which means “Jesus”) and trust in God’s promises by remembering His past deliverance.
I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews 13:5,
When the writer of Hebrews wanted to encourage Jewish Christians undergoing intense persecution to stay faithful, he quoted this same promise (Hebrew 13:5). As he closes his book, he reminds them of this promise to their ancestors. It was true in the past, and is still true today. “Never,” under any circumstances, no matter what we do or don’t do, will He leave or forsake us. He won’t “leave or forsake.” It is repeated for emphasis, to make sure we understand how certain it is.
Moses failed many times, and didn’t enter the land with the others because of his sin. But still he affirms God has never in any way turned His back on him. The recipients of the book of Hebrews were being persecuted because of their faith and were wondering where God was. He was still with them despite all that was happening. His promise is still true for us today. No matter where we are in life, what we have done or what circumstances we find ourselves in, He is always with us. Always. Forever. Now there is a promise you can build your life on.
When does it mean most to you that God will bever leave or forsake you? Think of hard times in the past when He with you. Thank Him again for that.
cto Rev. Dr. JERRY SCHMOYER
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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