-
A Father Who Will Never Leave Us
Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 31, 2021 (message contributor)
A FATHER WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE US
Devotional written by Dr. Larry Petton
When I was pastoring in Texas, a sweet little girl came up to me once and said, "Pastor Larry, will Jesus ever leave me if I trust in Him?" I knelt down beside the little girl and said, "Why do you ask me that?" She began to cry and looked up at me and said, "My Daddy left me and my Mommy and we are all alone now. Is Jesus just like my Daddy?"
No, Jesus is not like her Daddy. He will never leave those who trust Him according to Hebrews 13:5, which is a rare verse. It has been simply translated by many as, "He will never leave you or forsake you." It is much deeper than that.
This verse contains an unusual TRIPLE NEGATIVE. That is not good English, but it is great Greek. It should be translated, "He will never, never, never leave us or forsake us."
As I meditated on this verse, I once asked the Lord to help me understand why the need for a triple negative. My first answer was Jewish. It is very Hebraic to answer a question with a TRIPLICATE. Jewish commentators believe that it was a way of confirming the truth in the testimony of more than two witnesses. Jesus used that method often: "Verily, verily, verily I say unto you." One verily was not enough.
But, in Hebrews 13:5, I believe there is more than just Jewish grammar at stake. I wonder if this isn’t the heart of the Heavenly Father whispering to a fearful child, reminding that little one that the Triune God is there always and will never leave. And who is God? The three in One. The One in three. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Then I saw this truth. Have you ever felt like this?
"Father, I am so weak. I have failed you in so many ways and have fallen short of your glory because of my imperfection. Will you cast me to the side when I fail? Will you walk away and leave me alone?"
The FATHER looks at you and says "No, I will never leave you. I created you!"
The SON looks at you and says, "No, I will never leave you. I died for you!"
The HOLY SPIRIT looks at you and says, "No, I will never leave you. I dwell inside of you!"
Though others may walk away when we need them, we can be comforted to know that we are not alone in this life as believers in Christ. We have a Faithful Father who will never, never, never leave us......even when we fail.
Oh no, you never let go.
Through the calm and through the storm.
In every high and every low
Oh no, You never let go
Lord, You never let go of me.
Related Sermon Illustrations
-
Experience In The Christian Walk Is To Be A ... PRO
Contributed by Paul Wallace on Oct 12, 2005
Experience in the Christian walk is to be a learning tool. You don’t learn truth by just mentally remembering it, you learn it by experiencing it in your life. God teaches you his word though experience. Sometimes stressful ones. What is the difference between a typewriter and a computer??? ...read more
-
I Read One Time About How Shipbuilders Back In ... PRO
Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 15, 2005
I read one time about how shipbuilders back in the days of sailboats would prepare the masts for their ships. They would go to the forest and find an appropriate tree, then they would clear out all the surrounding trees and leave that one standing, leaving it exposed to the wind and ...read more
-
Finding Nemo
Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Feb 5, 2007
Many of you have seen the movie, “Finding Nemo”. •It’s a powerful story of the love and determination of a caring father. •It’s the story of being lost, and then found. •It’s a story that can help us understand our Heavenly Father and His love for us. In the movie, Nemo’s father Marlin loved ...read more
-
A Sunday School Teacher Had Just Concluded Her ... PRO
Contributed by David Moore on Jan 17, 2007
A Sunday School teacher had just concluded her lesson and wanted to make sure she had made her point. She said, "Can anyone tell me what you must do before you can obtain forgiveness of sin?" There was a short pause and then, from the back ...read more
-
A Preacher In A Small Town In Oklahoma Said That ... PRO
Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 5, 2007
A preacher in a small town in Oklahoma said that early one Monday morning, the only BANK in town called all three churches with the same request, "Could you bring in Sunday’s ...read more
Related Sermons
-
What Jesus Touches, He Changes. Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 24, 2016
His name had been Saul, but that - along with his entire life - was changed when he met Jesus. What changed him and what can we learn from his experience?
-
What Do You Have? Series
Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jan 14, 2018
Peter said to the lame man "such as I have give I thee". What did he have to offer that made the difference that day, and what do WE have that can make the difference today?
-
Anointed With Fresh Oil
Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 3, 2016
I don't like things that are stale. They taste sour, limp, bitter, etc. Many Christians are stale! They got the Spirit years ago, but none lately. God wants us to have a FRESH experience of the Spirit. He promises us FRESH OIL!
-
Seize The Day, Twenty-Four Seven
Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Aug 12, 2015
We are Christ followers. We are not, Christ fans. Fans sit on the sidelines followers get into are active on the field of play. It is time to get off the sideline. It is time to Seize the Day, Twenty-four Seven! Updated August 2018.
-
Every Step Of The Way Series
Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 29, 2013
Jeremiah points out that God will be faithful to you every step of the way. Each day when you rise, God will already be taking care of you. His grace, strength and love will be as much a daily part of you life as is breathing.