Never Forsaken

Ever been forgotten?

Missed birthday cards?  Stood up on a date?  Bus didn’t come?  Your name misplaced by a colleague? Overlooked in a crowd?

Somewhere, somehow, it has happened to all of us.  Even if it was completely by accident, can you remember the sting?  It might have only been for a moment – but can you bring to mind the hurt, the frustration, and the sense of aloneness?  These things do happen – more than we’d like to admit.  The world is a busy place.  We are not always the priority.

Now, consider this thought shared by the Apostle Paul:

^“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.”  Romans 8:38 NLT

A forever friend.  An always-present Father.  It boggles the mind in the scope of its pure goodness for us.  Yet, many do not (or cannot) believe in this Scriptural promise.  They have simply seen too much here on earth to trust that such a relationship could ever possibly exist.

The Bible is full of verses that share how God views His relationship with each of us.  Take a moment to Google search how many times/ways that God says…” I will never leave you.”  It’s a long list.  It is a thought that defines His very heart for His people.  It can be found throughout both the Old and New Testaments.

But what if we lose our way?  What if we strike out in the wrong direction on our own?  Surely His wrath and judgement will fall on us. We’ll definitely get “voted off the island” or “drummed out of the club?”  That’s what happens out there in the world. But guess what, the actual truth is so much the opposite of those thoughts!

Even in our darkest times, our Father in Heaven still watches after us.

He may let us choose to try to run from or avoid Him and His presence – but He is never unaware of us.  He is constantly watching for our return, just like the “father” in the story Jesus told of the prodigal son. Consider the story of Jonah, fully running as far as he can in the exact opposite direction to God’s desires for him, somehow believing that God had never heard of Tarshish or knows how to see and follow a boat sailing on the Mediterranean.

Be reminded and do not delude yourself – His heart is FOR us. It’s in every story and situation. He is constantly as close as the mere “mention of His Name.”  I have personally been amazed in the midst of my worst mess that I can call out to Him and receive His comforting presence – right where I am in the moment.  He is not afraid to engage and enter into our messes.

I have often thought that, if God had sleeves, I am quite convinced that He is never afraid to roll them up to dig in wherever it’s necessary.  And isn’t that thought eloquently highlighted at the Last Supper?  Jesus makes the adjustment to take on the role of servant to wash His disciples’ feet.  Unbelievable!  But the even more astonishing thing is that He even washes the feet of Judas, knowing full well that he intends to betray him shortly.

None forsaken!

Can I ask you … are you walking apart from God?  Are you still holding back from a commitment to Him and all that He holds for you?  What is blocking you from running into His open arms?  Perhaps your understanding of who God is has somehow fallen short of the full truth of how He sees you?

I ask you to please consider all that you stand to gain by moving into a fully connected relationship with the Maker of All Things. Take that step of faith that breaks through the fog of disbelief. Let this Scripture bring you clarity and peace that you can embrace and hold dear:

“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”   – Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT

Grab ahold of His hand – He won’t let go.