Never will I Leave You or Forsake You

That title conjures up fond memories of promises made by a parent, a close friend, a boyfriend or girlfriend or a spouse that they would never leave or forsake me. But, they didn’t/couldn’t keep their promise. Every one of those relationships DID leave me.

Aw! But I CAN guarantee that there is ONE Who keeps His promises when He says: “Never will I Ieave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

I’ve prayed for my children: “Dear Lord, be with my children today.” But just as abruptly as a referee’s whistle calling foul, the Holy Spirit stopped me mid-sentence. Why do I pray that every day? God IS WITH my children and my grandchildren. Why am I asking for something that God already promises?

I amended that prayer. Now I pray “Dear Lord, please help my children to be aware of Your presence today.” The truth of God’s here-ness and nearness is written throughout Scripture. David wrote:
“Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
If I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
If I settle on the far side of the sea,
Even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139:7-10)

I heard this old saying many times: “If you feel far from God, guess who moved?” God isn’t the one who strays. There is nowhere we can go that is away from His presence.

BUT (a big ‘but’) is we can feel far from God. I have learned when it feels like God is far off, I need to do a self-check and remind myself that the cure of feeling far from God is in praise, thanksgiving and acknowledging His presence.

Practicing the presence of God is found in acknowledging His presence in all of life. It is simply getting in the rhythm of God’s cadence. My husband often calls out the cadence “talk” he and his comrades used when he was in the army. That should be the cadence “talk” we have as we are constantly aware of God’s presence and identifying His working in us!

All of us feel closer to God at various times. But it’s just a feeling. The truth is, sometimes I feel closer to my husband than other times, but that doesn’t mean I’m any less married. I usually feel closer to him when we’re enjoying fun times together OR when we’re going through a rough patch and walk it through together.

It’s not that much different in my relationship with God. I might feel closer to Him when we’ve had a good time together (as in morning quiet times and worship) or going through a struggle and felt His arms wrapped around me when I was concerned about something.

What a joy and a comfort to know that there is nowhere we can go that is away from God’s presence. He will never leave us or forsake us. The fact that we live in His presence makes every moment of life meaningful. Being aware of His presence – 24/7 – makes the journey so sweet and so comforting.

I pray that God opens our spiritual eyes to see Him and our spiritual ears to hear Him. He is HERE; right now! Satisfaction guaranteed!