TO ALL OF THE WOUNDED AND THE HURTING!
Hebrews 13:5
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
In these troubled and troubling days, let us examine this scripture and find strength for our souls.
First, look at
“He Hath Said,”
There is an intensity to the way this is stated.
He Himself hath said.
In other words the Lord Jesus Christ Himself has personally made the promise contained within this verse! That is powerful!
What if I sent my son to tell someone something? That carries a certain amount of weight, no doubt. He would say, “My dad said…..”.
But, if I go personally, myself, and look someone eyeball to eyeball
and say, “I am telling you….” That is an altogether different level of experience and interaction. Think of this promise as though Jesus himself is looking right into your eyes, speaking these words to you!
Next, look at the word “Leave” - The word means to abandon or leave behind! How is this to be understood?
Most of you know that people were left behind when America recently pulled out of Afghanistan. Speaking at a press conference just hours after the last US flight left Kabul, Secretary Blinken said “we’re trying to determine exactly how many; we’re going through manifests and calling and texting through our lists.” It’s estimated that there are less than 200 Americans remaining in Afghanistan and it’s “likely closer to 100,” according to Secretary Blinken.
When Jesus says,
“I will never leave thee”...
There is a double negative before leave. It is one of the the strongest negations in Greek - It is though Jesus is saying, “I myself hath said, that I myself, will not, I will not ever abandon thee.”
This is why a Christian can stand when others around are falling! Paul said in Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Christians can be strong for all things because Christ infuses strength into them. God’s children are assured of God’s sustaining presence, strength, and provision as we go through life….
Finally, look at the word,
“Forsake.”
The word means to desert someone who is in a state of defeat and helplessness, while in the midst of hostile circumstances. It means to totally abandon someone, let them down, and leave them in the lurch....There are three negatives (in the Greek) before this word “forsake” - It is a triple negation.
“I will not,
I will not,
I will not forsake thee!”
Praise the Lord! Jesus is not a fickle, fair-weather friend!
We have God’s promise that he will strengthen us during trying times and we have his assurance that he will never, never, never abandon, forsake, or desert us. He will always be there to see us through, no matter how difficult, tight, and narrow the way!
Look to Him For Salvation - Isaiah 45:22
Look to Him For Strength - Isaiah 41:10