He Himself has said,

“I will never leave you

nor forsake you.”

(Hebrews 13:5)

Absence  is a frustrating part of life

It will happen dozens of times in your life this very week.

• Many will to reach someone on the phone, only to get voice mail.
• Some will stop by to see someone and they will not be there.
• Others, waiting for an appointment that is late or won’t show.

Examples could be multiplied by the thousands.  This week, you will deal with in one way or the other – disappointed by an absence.

God is NEVER absent – never!

Theologically it is referred to as God’s Omniscience.   There is no place or time that God’s knowledge, sovereignty, power and presence are not at (Ps 139). The simple fact of this is that God is everywhere!

For the Christian – it is even more true.    God promises not only to be with us in a sovereign way – but in a very personal way.  He Himself promises to be with us – always!

God wants you to know this

He Himself has said

This is not something that just some pastor or theologian dreamed up.  God Himself has told us this about Himself.  God has told us this!

God never leaves!

He Himself has said, “I will never leave you"

God promises never to leave you – not for a moment, not temporarily, not to handle some other situation.  God never sleeps, He never takes a vacation or a break.  God never leaves…never!

God never abandons!

He Himself has said…"nor forsake you.”

God never gives up on us, He never walks away. (Phil 1:6).  God never quits.  Today, I call you to see His faithfulness.

Do we really get it? 

With this amazing reality of God’s faithfulness before us – it is funny to listen to us pray at times.  It is very common for people to pray that God would be with us, that in a time of sorrow, or in a time of worship and more – to pray for God to be there and for His presence to be there.  Yet, the truth is – He is there!  He never leaves, ever!

The problem is that we are often unaware of God’s presence and as such not looking to or leaning on Him which is the real issue.  Now, please don’t feel bad if you have or do pray for God to be with you or with others – it is a fine prayer…and in truth, you are praying for awareness and help – which is good.   I am certain that God answers such prayers in exactly that way. 

Yet….I wonder if using such phrases – praying for God to be with us – has in some small way placed a kernel of doubt in our own hearts – where we do actually wonder if God is there.  I wonder if feelings make us doubt God’s presence, even now.  

The truth is: God NEVER leaves….never.  Right now, right where you are at – He is there.   I wonder how it would effect you, right now, if you really believed this truth….God is here!

Jim