• A Father Who Will Never Leave Us

  Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Dec 31, 2021 (message contributor)

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  Scripture:  Hebrews 13:1-5

  Tags:  Holy Spirit, Assurance, God's Faithfulness, Our Father In Heaven, The Son Of God  (view more)  (view less)

  Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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.