More and more these days it seems that taking a stand for Christ brings about an animosity with the world, and separates friends from each other, along with family members. Sometimes taking a Biblical stand can bring about hostility from the church one attends if they are wanting to please the world rather than God. If this happens, we may feel like we are all alone, like we are walking one way, while everyone else is racing the opposite way. In our Scripture passage for today we have the Lord’s promise to us that He will never leave us. As we look into God’s Word this morning, we can take comfort and hope.
The unknown author of the Book of Hebrews is bringing his letter to a conclusion, and he seeks to give a few final instructions for these believers who are struggling with strong persecution for their stand for the Lord. Despite what they are going through, the author reminds them that God wants them to continue to show love for each other (vs. 1). Real love for others will produce real actions. God’s Word tells us to show kindness to strangers (vs. 2), empathy for those in prison or who are being mistreated (vs. 3), respect for marriage vows (vs. 4), and contentment for what we have (vs. 5). When we show this kind of love to others, one never knows how far-reaching an act of kindness might go, as some in the Bible were hosts to angels. Jesus said that a kind act shown to others was also a kind act shown to Him (Matthew 25:34-40).
One way that helps us when we go through difficult times is to have contentment (vs. 5). We become content when we realize God’s sufficiency for our needs. When we become materialistic we are saying, in effect, that God can’t take care of us. Don’t we know that is not true? Hasn’t He shown His provisions all throughout our life? We can trust God to meet our needs. We can be content in every situation because of Jesus’ promise that He will never leave us, and that He will never forsake us.
Sometimes we find ourselves in frightening situations. Like a child does when they are afraid and can’t see their parents, we might feel that God has abandoned us. God has promised us, given His Word, that He will never leave, forsake, or abandon us. We may not always feel God’s arms beneath us, but we can rest in His care and promise that He is there. Jesus has shown us in the past that He has always been faithful, so we can trust that He will remain faithful to us.
God does not lie. We can trust His promises to us. His Word is sure and true. Verse 5 says that He Himself (the Lord Jesus Christ) has said this promise to never leave or forsake us. We have His Word, the word and promise of the God of the universe. Can you ever doubt that word? Jesus doesn’t save us one day, and then abandon us the next.
When Jesus promised to never leave us, He meant in the hard times as well as the good times. Our mission in the difficult seasons of life is to work and serve, remembering we are doing our work for God, and then to watch as God works to accomplish His purpose. Because God has promised to never leave or forsake us, we can be content with our lives. We can rest in His nearness. We don’t have to be anxious about anything. No matter where we go, God goes with us.
As we contemplate this incredible promise of God, we may be reminded of promises that others have made to us, and how they changed and turned their backs on us. Will that ever happen with Jesus? Sure, He loves us now, but how about in a year, in ten years? Will He then? Our concluding verse states that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (vs. 8). Friends may change, but Jesus doesn’t. Friends may leave, but Jesus won’t. He is immutable, unable to change (Malachi 3:6). He is the eternal God whose ways are everlasting.
When the storms of life come, and they will, we have a sure anchor - Jesus, who never changes. If we try to hold tight to things of this word, such as our belongings, friends, and abilities, they all change. However, Jesus does not change, and He never moves or leaves. He is the same as He has always been, and we can also be assured that there is absolutely no way whatsoever that He will ever, ever leave us.
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