God never gives up on you......never!

I write this in honor of my son's birthday April 30

I Corinthians 1:7-9 (Message)

God Himself is right alongside to keep you steady and on track until things are all wrapped up by Jesus. God, who got you started in this spiritual adventure, shares with us the life of His Son and our Master Jesus. He will never give up on you. Never forget that.

Are you suffering in some way right now as you read this?  Are you physically hurting, under a lot of stress, significantly depressed, grieving over the loss of a loved one, anxious over what you are facing with your life and/or work, and any other countless reasons for suffering?  If you live a “normal life” 70-80 years (Psalm 90:10), for some longer living, for others shorter, you go through many transitions.  Examples include leaving home for work or college, getting married, having children, new jobs/careers, children leaving home, loss of job or retirement, losing loved ones, and so forth.  Through all these examples of suffering and transition, when life seems most vulnerable, uncertain, and insecure, the Bible promises that “God Himself is right alongside you…”

Are you able to believe this promise to the point that you feel peace with your circumstances?  Likely, yes, for a few minutes, but then the harshness of the reality of your life circumstances crowd out the Lord and you isolate yourself from His protective care.  However, it doesn’t matter what you do or don’t do, God promises to be with you.  This passage reminds me of perhaps the most comforting phrase in all of Scripture:  “I will never leave you nor forsake you!” (Hebrews 13:5).  

We use the adjective “awesome” a lot to describe people, events, and things, but years ago, a friend, Connie Medlock, led a devotional discussion of a small group where I learned that “awesome” should only be used to describe God.  In the Bible the use of the word “awe” or “awesome” always refers to God.  The original Hebrew and Greek words that are translated as “awe” or “awesome” literally mean “fear” or “trembling”.  In fact the Greek word translated as “awe” is “phobos” where today we use “phobia” to describe a strong fear.  Job 25:2 says that “dominion and awe belong to God” and Acts 2:43 says that “everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles”.

So I think of the word “awe” when I read passages like I Corinthians 1:7-9 where I am in awe of a God who will never give up on me.  I hope that you too, when you reflect on this passage, will have a clear sense of awe of God who promises to protect you and never give up on you.  Never.