“For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
~Hebrews 13:5
JESUS IS with His people at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances. He is “Immanuel, God with us” (Matthew 1:23). Jesus is with every believer to comfort us in the hour of sorrow, to enlighten us in the hour of darkness, to guide us in the hour of doubt, to deliver us in the time of conflict, to strengthen us in the time of weakness, to protect us in the day of trouble, and to support us in the hour of death. Every believer must realize this wondrous truth that Jesus faithfully and continually dwells with the sheep of His pasture, the people of His hand. For this reason, David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
JESUS WAS with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the fiery furnace; He was with Daniel in the lions’ den; He was with the Apostle Paul in the hour of conflict in Corinth; and Jesus was with the Apostle John on the Island of Patmos during his exile. Jesus is, at all times, in all places, and under all circumstances with His people. We read in Matthew 28:20, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” And in Hebrews 13:5 it is written, “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” The English word “forsake” is translated from the Greek word “egkataleipo” which can also be translated “to leave behind or to desert.” In other words, the Lord Jesus will never abandon His sheep no matter what the situation, and He will never desert His redeemed no matter what the circumstances.
THE APOSTLE PAUL wrote in 2 Timothy 4:16-17, “At my first defense no one stood with me, but all forsook me. May it not be charged against them. But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also, I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.” We also read in Isaiah 43:1-3, “But now, thus says the LORD, who created you, O Jacob, and He who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior…”
WHAT ABOUT YOU? Are you passing through the fiery furnace of affliction? Is your health failing? Is your faith weak? Do not be cast down! This furnace is only designed to burn the dross, to work your inward good, to draw you nearer to Jesus, and conform you more and more into Christ’s image. As the hymn writer declared,
“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie…
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply…
The flame shall not harm thee; I only design…
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”
BE OF GOOD cheer, dear Christian, for Jesus has promised never to leave you nor forsake you, even in your darkest days. “So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6).
Tuesday Encouragement: July 30, 2024
In Christ,
Pastor S. Henry
