In our world today truth is really hard to come by. I am so thankful for God’s word that shares the truths of Jesus which are never changing. They are the same yesterday, today and forever. These Truths have become my strength and stability for life and I look forward to sharing these Truths each month to help encourage you to stay strong in our crazy, unpredictable world.
Who would have ever imagined that 2020 would bring a pandemic, riots, and widespread protesting to our world — all of which can make me feel uncertain of what the future holds. That is why the Truth for this month is one of the most important to hold tight to: The Lord will never leave you.
Anchor Truth: The Lord Will Never Leave You
Matthew 28:20
This became an Anchor Truth for me at a memorable moment when I was a senior in high school. I had been dating my first boyfriend for a year and one day he came over to my house to go on a walk and have a “little talk” with me. I was completely caught off guard when he told me he didn’t want to be in a relationship with me any longer. I remember the corner of the street where it happened, what I was wearing that day, and mostly I remember hearing the hurtful words he spoke as he broke my heart.
Me and my boyfriend at Malibu BC
I had dreamed we would be together forever, get married, and have a family. We had talked about a future together so his words were so unexpected. But at the same time these hurtful words were uttered, I heard a very gentle, soft voice in the back of my mind saying, “I will NEVER leave you!” I knew it was the Lord reassuring me and bringing to mind the real truth of the matter which was that I would never be truly alone — no matter what — and that He would be with me. Many years later, this Truth continues to bring me confidence, peace and comfort every day and especially amongst life’s big storms.
But at the same time these hurtful words were uttered, I heard a very gentle, soft voice in the back of my mind saying, “I will NEVER leave you!”
We live in a world with many “stormy” relationships and circumstances. Relationships can be broken, family member betrays family member, spouses cheat on one another and friends argue. Maybe you’ve experienced it too in one way or another. Life can be uncertain; your finances may be unsure, your plans with family or friends may have radically changed or you may be experiencing other losses. Perhaps your health or emotional challenges make for an unpredictable future. Despite your circumstances, it is encouraging to know that God will never leave or forsake you. We sometimes forsake God but He will never forsake us. Not only that, His love never fails and He never gives up on us. We might give up but He doesn’t. The word “surely” that Jesus spoke in Matthew 28:20 means “for certain.” You can rest assured He will never leave you.
Several months ago, before Covid-19 began, my daughter and her family and my darling granddaughter Isla came to visit and stayed with us in Gig Harbor. I have a very special memory from that trip that has made a great impact on me.
Isla was walking with help from her daddy down the hallway in our home. The sun streamed brightly through the window. Isla noticed her shadow on the floor and was very taken with it — she jumped and leaped and tried to get away from it but her shadow stuck with her. Her daddy explained that she had a “shadow”. Isla began to call out “adow, adow” in her 18-month-old way as she chased her shadow around the sunlit room. She couldn’t get a way from it.
I caught a glimpse in that moment of the great shadow of the Lord we are under. We too can’t get away; He will NEVER leave us.
Isla and her shadow
As the light shines on us and casts a shadow, may we be reminded of God’s great love for us and His presence that is with us at all times during both the calm and the storms of life. Especially this year, amidst the pandemic and the other stresses of our lives and world around us, we can be comforted knowing He is present. The Truth is the Lord is ALWAYS with us.
