Hebrews 13:5 “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you." Abandon (def)- cease to support or look after (someone); desert. If you have ever been put through the "mill" of testing you will relate to the strong emotion that comes with going through that fire. The constant act of growing us as believers have many ups and downs, with not all ups and not all downs. In the faith walk we call the Christian life there are some who have great trials and some who don't seem to ever have anything tough happen to them. This is a great mystery and beyond our understanding, but not beyond God's care for His children. Proverbs 3 is a very informative proverb that has great truth and understanding about living this life that loves and trusts God. In verses 5 and 6 the writer says 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. In this crooked path world, I really find comfort in knowing that God has a straight path through and I need to trust Him and follow His will. Keep in mind HE IS GOD!!
Knowing that God is right here with us helps us see that He walks through this valley helping us along the way. The 23rd psalm says it this way 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. This is read at many funerals, but this truth by the Psalmist is speaking about God being "right here with us" as we continue to walk. Knowing that God is with us and that He will never forsake us or leave us helps us keep walking and keep growing.
We use the word never so willy-nilly at times to emphasize a point, but in reality, we are a fallen, sinful group of people who have no idea what will happen five minutes from now and that will change our stance that we so strongly spoke. So when using the word never realize the power of this word and how it is only a word that can be accurately used by our God. There is a very good side to this word NEVER also. This is seen in the Hebrew scripture above that God will never abandon or forsake us. In the midst of going through the trials of life, we see God's hand working a great work in us that is perfect. Paul wrote to the church at Philippi these words in Chapter 1: 6-7 6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.7 For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. Paul, even though imprisoned, shows us that God will complete the work of the abundant life in our lives and bring us through it all and that He will NEVER leave us. We serve a God who NEVER leaves, but is ALWAYS just on time and perfect.
So I have to ask this question. Do you trust God? I mean really trust Him. The very proof of His love and power should affirm you in your faith and actually build your faith to a place of power and commitment. Don't rely on your impression of what could be or should be, but rely on who He is and what He has already done through Jesus and let the Holy Spirit guide you in all things and you will NEVER lack for anything. For me, my faith is built up knowing that when I pray, God is listening and responding as only He can. Praise God!! Jesus is coming for His children and here is the promise He spoke in John 14:18 “I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.
The Pilgrimage Continues....
David Warren