I Will Never Leave You, Assuredly Not!
By Elizabeth Turnage, Guest Writer
Today’s Treasure
For He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?”
Hebrews 13:5-6 Amplified
Today’s Treasure is one of my favorite Scriptures. When there are no other answers, there is the promise of His presence and He wants us to trust that His presence is enough. I’m adding yesterday’s Daily Treasure to my favorites:
Don't panic. I'm with you. There's no need to fear for I'm your God. I'll give you strength. I will help you. I'll hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.
Isaiah 41:10, MSG
In other Scripture, God paints a picture of His child taking refuge under His wings. Think about it! Our Holy Other God stays close to His child, so close, we can almost hear Him breathe.
The waiting room is fertile ground for panic, for feeling helpless, unsteady, and weak. How does God keep the promise of His presence? Elizabeth Turnage, our guest writer, reminds us that sometimes the Lord reveals His presence through “angels”, people who say just the right words or show up at just the right time while we anxiously wait for a doctor, a medical report, our turn for care. Or perhaps an “angel” shows up when we don’t know how we will have the energy to get our loved one to another appointment, prepare a meal after a day of waiting rooms, clean up the kitchen. Then someone comes alongside us to help carry the load, and we know they are God’s promise keepers, sent to be His hands, feet, shoulders, strength, peace, love, servant.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
As we wrap up this week of encouragement from Elizabeth’s book, The Waiting Room, reach out to someone God sent to you as His promise keeper, someone who may not think their act of kindness meant much, but you treasure the memory. Or prayerfully consider who needs the touch of Jesus today, and ask the Lord how you can be His “angel” and help them experience His presence in a meaningful way. You might be surprised at how simple the act of encouragement is and even more shocked by how your kindness helps turn your friend’s heart toward Jesus.
Sharon W. Betters is author of Treasures of Encouragement, Treasures in Darkness and co-author of Treasures of Faith. She is Director of Resource Development and co-founder of MARKINC.org, a non profit organization that offers help and hope to hurting people. Sharon enjoys quality time with her husband, children, fourteen grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.
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Contact Sharon with comments or questions at dailytreasure@markinc.org.