RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-01-28	I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You (He.13:5)
		Heb 13:5  Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU." The world we live in certainly is changing all the time. People are constantly leaving including family and in death. God wants us to know that His promise to never leave us is very real. These words were originally given to Israel and Joshua before entering the Promised Land (Du.31:6). Due 31:6  Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you." Here Moses reminded Joshua that, as the succeeding leader, that the Lord will go before you, and to not be afraid (Du.31:8). The task before Joshua of taking the Promised Land seemed impossible. But with the Lord with him the task is very possible. God would not forsake Joshua. God has made similar statements to individuals in the Old Testament. 1. To Jacob: “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land; for I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.” (Ge.28:15) 2. To Solomon: “And David said to his son Solomon, "Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD God—my God—will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.” (1Ch.28:20). 3. To Joshua directly: “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.” (Js.1:5) 4. The Poor and Needy: “The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, Their tongues fail for thirst. I, the LORD, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them” (Is.41:17) The book of Hebrews quotes from Deuteronomy 31:6 of this promise of God's eternal presence with believers. Preceding this promise is the command to not trust in riches or material goods (He.13:5). He says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have” (He.13:5a) His point is instead of trusting in riches, which will fail, believers should place their trust in God. Riches and other resources can depart in a moment, but the Lord is with His children forever. Christ promised the “Comforter,” the Holy Spirit would always be with His followers (Jn.14:16). When giving the Great Commission to His disciples, Jesus said, “Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Mt.28:20). When Christians come to faith they are permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who is God (Ac.5:3-4). The word “forsake” in Hebrews 13:5 means to leave behind, or to abandon. Paul used this word concerning his situation when he said, “persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2Co.4:9). The same writer used this word, “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” to encourage believers to meet for fellowship (He.10:25). So we may be persecuted, but we will not be abandoned. We must assemble together to strengthen one another. Because God will never leave or forsake His children, we can live unafraid. Hebrews continues, “So we may boldly say: "THE LORD IS MY HELPER; I WILL NOT FEAR. WHAT CAN MAN DO TO ME?” (He.13:6). God is our helper who protects His chosen people (Ps.118:6-7). Psa 118:6  The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? Psa 118:7  The LORD is for me among those who help me; Therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

An Evangelical Free Church of America

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