There are many who have taken comfort from God’s promise in Hebrews 13:5, I will never leave you.” We love knowing that His Words are true all the time. Therefore, it is wonderful to read the above promise, but what about our own promise to God? In John 6 we read that Jesus was teaching His followers. Some didn’t understand what He was saying, so they left. Others didn’t agree with what He was saying, so they left. Jesus turns to the original twelve disciples that He called, and He asks the question , Are you also going to leave (John 6:67 NLT)? Does Jesus ask us the same question today?
When we beg Him for a particular something to take place, but the opposite happens, will we turn away? When we are in the minority, the world mocking the ways of Jesus, will we turn away? When we don’t understand all of His ways, will we turn away? Demonic forces are relentlessly at work to draw us away from following close to Jesus. Demons even whisper, “You go to church; that’s enough, no need to be fanatical.” Do we listen? Do we turn away?
When we find ourselves dwindling in our steadfastness, less us stop and remember, Jesus saved us when we could not save ourselves (Acts 4:12). Jesus is right now interceding for us to His Father (Hebrews 7:25). When we feel we are on a path with no direction, look to Father, He has your future mapped out (Jeremiah 29:11). When we are afraid, remember our God strengthens and holds us up (Isaiah 41:10). When we feel we have hit a dead end, remember nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37).
Our emotions may falter. We may not “feel” like intently following Jesus, or seeking for His direction. I encourage us all, when emotions are tipsy-turvy, choose to remain focused on the One who is trustworthy, faithful to His own Word, loving without end. When life is giving you pain and grief, and Jesus whispers, Are you also going to leave, look to the pain He suffered on the cross, and with the greatest of love call out, “Jesus, I will never leave you!” Blessings of peace and joy will follow; it’s a peace and joy the world cannot give.