Never, No Never

(My Original Blog Post: http://ping.fm/gTQSM)

“. . .for He has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’.”

Hebrews 13:5b

If He promised it, we need never doubt it.

No greater words were ever spoken and no greater Promise ever given than the one Jesus gave to His disciples that day in the upper room when He said “And I will pray (to) the Father and he shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever. . .I will not leave you comfortless; I will come to you” (Jn. 14:16, 18).

We know from further study of the Scriptures that this Comforter is the Holy Spirit.  And, how wonderful to know the Greek word “orphanos” is used for “comfortless” and is the root from which “orphans” comes.  Thus, the meaning is clear:  “I will not leave you as some homeless, abandoned street kid. . .fending for himself. . .having to stand on the street corner and beg money or food from strangers.”

And, how will He accomplish that?

Quite simply by five simple words:  “I will come to you.”

Hallelujah!!

Do you see it, Pilgrim?  Do you see it?

Who is this “promised Comforter sent from Heaven Who’ll abide with us forever?”

Why, it’s Jesus Himself!

The word “holy” means “set apart for God’s use” and “spirit” basically means “life.”  Thus, this “set-apart Life” is Jesus Himself!  That’s why He said “I will not leave you as orphans.”  HE is the One Who is “the Spirit of Truth” (v.17). . .and will “teach us all things and bring all things that He said to our remembrance” (v.26). . .and will convict us of “sin, our need of righteousness and Judgment to come” as He “guides us into all Truth” (Jn. 16:7-13).

Again, it’s Jesus Himself.  The Risen Lord.  The One Who conquered sin, death and the grave and “freed us from the curse of the Law by being made a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).

He’s there/here—living in the heart of every believer—and has promised to “never ever leave us or forsake us.”   Never, no never!

Aren’t you glad?  Glory!!

Dear Pilgrim, how would you life be changed if you constantly remembered these Promises and recognized His Presence with you every second of the day?  What changes in attitude and actions would you have to make to keep from grieving His Holy Heart?  What secret “strongholds of sin” would you need to pull down (II Cor. 10:3-5) that are preventing Him from taking His rightful place on the throne of your heart?

Do not delay; make those changes today.  Let Christ do some spiritual housecleaning in your heart and mind today so you no longer need to live in guilt, shame and fear.  Spend the day reflecting on what it means for Christ to be your “very PRESENT HELP in trouble” (Ps. 46:1); then, rest in the assurance that He always keeps His Promises and there’s nothing you’re going to face today that He can’t handle.  Amen and amen!  Thank You, Lord.