“I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU!”
Heb. 13:5-6
INTRODUCTION
A. HUMOR
1. Steve Bauer was touring Ireland's countryside with a group of travel writers. They passed an immaculate cemetery with hundreds of beautiful headstones set in a field of emerald green grass.
2. Everyone reached for their cameras when the tour guide said the inventor of the crossword puzzle was buried there. “Which headstone is his?” they asked. He pointed, "Three down and four across."
B. TEXT
5Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" Heb. 13:5-6.
C. THESIS: VICTORY!
I want to speak to you tonight about victory. How can a Christian have victory in the face of Sorrows? Trials? Difficulties? Persecution and martyrdom?
1. Many Japanese converts died in the terrible persecution of Christians in Japan in the 16th Century.
2. On one occasion a nobleman of the highest rank, his wife and six young children, with upwards of 40 other Christians were tied to stakes to be burned.
3. When the fires were set, the martyrs were seen among the bright flames with eyes fixed on heaven, their forms motionless and erect. The spectators watched silently in expectation of the horror that was to unfold.
4. Then suddenly out of that fiery furnace a melody arose – men and women and children singing a bold hymn of praise to the living God. Their sweet songs contradicted the sound of the red and thirsty flames.
5. Some of the onlookers erupted in prayers and tears while others uttered curses and defiance. The music of that marvelous choir slowly died away, one at a time, each sinking into silence as they went to meet their Savior. But they died with praise on their lips – that’s victory! [Knight’s 3000, p. 638).
6. The title of this message is, “I Will Never Leave You Nor Forsake You.”
I. TRAGEDY OF BEING FORSAKEN BY GOD
A. HUMAN LONELINESS
1. We have heard of many examples of human loneliness and helplessness.
2. I’ve told the story of the Japanese soldier from WW2, Shoichi Yokoi, who lived in a cave on the island of Guam, hiding in the jungle for 28 years.
3. He only came out at night and survived on frogs, rats, snails, shrimp, nuts, and mangoes.
4. Yokoi said he knew the war was over because of leaflets dropped, but he was afraid to come out because he thought he might be executed.
5. Finally two hunters came upon him in 1972 and told him that he need not hide any longer. He was free! He was given new clothes, food, and taken by plane to his home. He was 56 years old; 28 years of solitude!
6. We as Christians ARE FREE, but some don’t know that the war is over. You must claim your freedom; don’t hide any longer! [Paul Tan, 7700 #1651]
B. WILL GOD ABANDON US?
1. Jesus did pray, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But He was unique in being cut off from God’s presence. We are never away from it.
2. Even Jonah, fleeing to Tarshish, was never out of God's presence.
3. And David said, "If I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there!"
C. ASSURANCE FROM OUR GOD
1. In Hebrews 13:5B, there are 5 negatives in the Greek language; 5 "nevers." “No! Not you, will I leave, nor, No!, not you, will I forsake.”
2. Antonio Curtis dialed a wrong number and got the following recording: "I am not available right now, but I thank you for caring enough to call. I am making some changes in my life. Please leave a message after the beep. If I do not return your call, you are one of the changes." Aren’t you glad God isn’t like that! He will never turn you away.
3. God says, "I will never, never leave thee" and then "I will never, never, never forsake thee." Here they intensify the meaning, giving us God’s 5-fold assurance that He will never leave us or forsake us.
II. THE 4 INSTANCES THIS PHRASE WAS USED
A. FROM GOD TO JACOB
1. God's promise to a man in trials.
2. Jacob had just fled from his family home:
a. His father loved his brother more than he;
b. Esau, his brother, hated him & desired to kill him.
c. Jacob had only a stone for a pillow.
d. He was friendless, solitary, alone.
e. To him God said, “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” Gen. 28:15.
3. In Padan-Aram, Laban wronged and cheated him, but God was with Jacob and he came away with great substance.
a. Laban pursued Jacob.
b. But God rebuked Laban in a dream.
4. Esau kissed his brother, instead of killing him.
5. Jacob once declared, "Joseph is not and Simeon is not, and now you will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me!" But God had not left him. Even Joseph was restored to him.
6. You Jacobs -- tried and troubled heirs of heaven, God has said to you, "I will never leave you, I will never forsake you."
7. ILLUSTRATION: Intent of the Rescuer
a. A little boy very carefully whittled a boat from a solid piece of wood. He painted it, attached masts and sails, and even ropes.
b. He took it down to a creek and was trying it out in the water when it was blown out into the middle of the creek, beyond his reach.
c. A big boy came along and started throwing rocks at the boat but they fell on the far side. The little boy said, "Don't throw rocks at my boat!"
d. The big boy said, "It just looks like I'm trying to sink your ship, but I'm not; just watch!" The continuous waves coming from the far side of the boat began pushing it back to the little boy.
e. Every throw of the stones was planned to bring the boat closer to the boy. In the same way, suffering brings us closer to God!
B. GOD TO ISRAEL WHEN MOSES DEPARTING
In Deut. 31:1-6, Moses outlined two big areas of fear for the Israelites;
1. First, the Israelites were told that it was finally Invasion Day -- time to begin invading and driving out the Giants and overthrowing the chariots of iron. A war of many years was about to begin. Their question was: Will we win or be overcome?
2. Second, Moses was no longer going to be their leader. He was staying behind and not entering the promised land. Joshua would take over. So the situation was this: the guy with a successful record of leadership was dropping out at this crucial point and putting in the B. team. Great!
3. But God promised not to leave them. It had never been Moses who was delivering them, but God! Since God was going over the Jordan, the war would be won with God at the helm!
4. If God could overthrow Egypt's and all its power and armies, couldn’t God overthrow a few Giants and chariots?
5. God said, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” Deut. 31:6. We don't have to worry; God's in charge!
6. Church, let's remember that the land lies before us and we are called to go in and possess it. Therefore let's dare great things and do great things. If we know God is with us, we should attempt greater things. God cannot help but bless a praying, working church.
C. FROM THE LORD TO JOSHUA
“No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you” Josh. 1:5.
1. Joshua was shaking in his boots. Moses was dead! There is no calling the A-Team into the game for a crucial play. "Joshua, you're going to conquer all the inhabitants of an area 100x200 miles. Any questions?"
2. "Yeah! A lot of questions!" "Don't sweat it, you don't need all the answers now. I'm going with you and will make you a success, like Moses. I will not ever leave you -- not even for 10 minutes. Don't be afraid!"
3. This verse is a treasure to give you strength when you feel like running away. "Go in this thy might; the Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor."
D. FROM DAVID TO YOUNG SOLOMON
David said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished” 1 Chron. 28:20. Some Christians are in positions requiring careful thought, discretion, and wisdom.
1. Think of the Queen of Sheba's visit. She had many different questions, but God did not leave Solomon, nor forsake him.
2. As Judge over Israel, he faced many knotty situations: the 2 prostitutes claiming the same child, for instance; but God gave him wisdom to solve the case.
3. Building the Temple. A gigantic and far reaching work. But God was enough! Christian worker -- trusting God's presence; He is enough!
III. WHAT DOES THIS PROMISE MEAN?
A. ALL GOD’S POWERS ARE AT OUR DISPOSAL
1. Is He Mighty? He will show Himself mighty on behalf of them that trust in Him.
2. Is He Love? His mercies are ours. Whatever God has, is ours!
B. ALL OF GOD’S PROMISES ARE FOR ME
1. Whatever God has said to any one saint – Abraham, Moses, etc., -- He has said to us all. You too are Abraham's seed.
2. Look to the north, south, east, west; all is Yours! Climb to Pisgah’s summit – view the far reaches/limits of the divine promises.
3. Be bold to believe, for he has said, "I will never leave thee, nor forsake of thee."
CONCLUSION
A. ILLUSTRATION: Airline Policy
1. Mrs. Lyn Chaffart’s troubles began at 4 o'clock in the morning. She dreamed she heard the phone ringing and finally climbed through the fog to hear the answering machine turn off. She pressed the "play" button, and it was her brother-in-law's voice that spoke through the recording: "He's gone!" All traces of sleep instantly vanished. It could only mean one thing!
2. Her father-in-law, who had been struggling with brain cancer for two years, had passed away. They had flown to Belgium to see him two months earlier. Why now? Why so soon? Suddenly there was only one thing that mattered: Flying to Belgium as quickly as possible!
3. But things weren’t that simple; her 1 year-old son was very sick. He would never be able to make that long flight. When she called her mother in California, her first question was: "What will you do with the baby?" "I don't know," Lyn sighed. Her reply was calm: "I'll fly out this afternoon to take care of him!" Lyn broke into grateful tears.
4. But there was still another dilemma. Her plane to Brussels would leave three hours before her mother’s flight would arrive. Who would watch the baby? She called her babysitter and she reassuringly said: "Of course I'll take him until your mother arrives!"
5. There were still other details, but they quickly began to resolve themselves. She finally realized that a great unseen Hand was providing for every need!
6. But later at the airport, anxiety set in again; what if mom missed her flight? These thoughts became obsessive. She had to know whether or not her mother had caught her flight.
7. In desperation she dialed the airline, but they said, "I'm sorry! We’re not authorized to release that information to you!"
8. "You don't understand!" I nearly screamed, my words stumbling over each other in my rush to get them out. "My father-in-law just passed away! I'm boarding an emergency flight for Brussels in a few minutes! I just left my baby with a stranger until my mother arrives aboard your flight from California. I have to know if she is on that flight!!!!"
9. During the lengthy silence on the other end of the phone, I heard the still, small voice of God say: "I will take care of all your needs!" (Phil 4:19) A wave of peace immediately washed over me. Suddenly it no longer mattered whether or not I received my confirmation. God would provide!
10. That was when the telephone attendant finally broke the silence: "Ma'am," she said, with enough emotion to make me understand that she, too, was a mother. "You can feel comfortable boarding your flight for Brussels!"
B. ALTAR CALL
1. Do you face an uncertain future, like Jacob? You can trust in your God to order your future!
2. Or maybe you face a great task like Joshua or Solomon; God will help you tackle it and bring it to completion!
3. Maybe you’ve lost someone who was a great strength to your life; God will be your strength in their place. You need to trust Jesus Christ to be your Savior, Helper, Provider, Deliverer, Healer, Baptizer, and Best Friend! Let’s go to Him now in prayer.
[This message had input from Charles Spurgeon on this text.]
