Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Thomas Merton
He Promised
The first reason that God will never leave you alone in your perils is because He has promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Heb 13:5b). To ancient Israel, He said, “the LORD your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them” (Deut 4:31). What God promises, God does, and He is not like us who may be prevented from keeping a promise.
He is Faithful
The Apostle Paul knew that “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1st Cor 1:9), so “Know therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations” (Deut 7:9). God was faithful to His chosen people, and He will be faithful to His own children, which are those who have repented and trusted in Christ.
His Omnipresence
Time is nothing to God. He is not limited to time, space, or matter. God is omnipresent, meaning He is present everywhere and at all times. For the Christian, He’s closer than that, because the Holy Spirit lives in them and so God is always present with them. When you find you’re in a fearful moment, know that God’s in that moment with you and as He promised Jacob, He has promised us; “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 promised you” (Gen 28:15).
He Goes Before You
Not only do we have God’s promise to never leave us or forsake us (Heb 13:5), “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed” (Deut 31:8). These encouraging words from Moses to Joshua were because Joshua would be taking over the leadership of Israel. He wanted Joshua to know that God would go before Him and fight for him and not forsake him, so “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deut 31:6).
Conclusion
Just think about what Mr. Merton said. “I will not fear, for you are ever with me, and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.” I believe that’s true because God has promised to never leave us or forsake us; God is faithful to do what He has promised; God is available, being present in time and history and space; and God goes with you but He also goes before you. How incredible is that?!
