Jun 01 – He Will Never Leave!

“No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5)

Among all the promises of God, this promise is especially precious. The God who gave this promise to Joshua reaffirmed it even after nearly 1300 years. The Apostle Paul reminds us of this same assurance: “For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” (Hebrews 13:5)

Yes, the promises of God belong to His children forever. We may loosen our hold on Him; we may even think of walking away from Him. But the Lord never releases His loving hold on us, nor does He ever depart from us.

When someone teaches a little boy to swim, he ties a strong rope around the child’s waist and holds the other end securely from the shore. The child begins to swim in the water while the instructor stands safely on the bank holding the rope. If the rope were kept too tight, the boy would never learn to swim.

So, the instructor gives a little slack and watches whether the child can swim. At times the boy swims properly, but at other times he begins to sink. Yet the one holding the rope never allows him to drown. The moment he sees the child sinking, he quickly pulls the rope and lifts him up again. The frightened child is reassured as the instructor says, “I have not left you. I have not forsaken you. I am holding you securely in my hand.” What comfort and joy that gives the child!

Likewise, in our spiritual lives, the Lord allows us opportunities to learn and grow. At times, He loosens the rope a little. During those moments we may cry out, “The Lord has forsaken me! God is not hearing my prayers!” But in reality, the Lord has bound us to Himself with cords of love.

Children of God, the love of the Lord continually pursues us. Like the shepherd searching for the lost sheep, He seeks after us. Like the woman rejoicing after finding her lost silver coin, He rejoices over us. Like the father longing for the return of the prodigal son, He eagerly waits for us. He lovingly embraces us and says, “I do not want to leave you. I will never forsake you.”

Verse for further meditation: “…teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)