The “Never Never Ever” Promise

Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

In times when our world seems to be defined by nomadic relationships and shallow commitments it is more than wonderful to know that there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

The writer of Hebrews records God’s never never ever promise – “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”

There is an emphatic dynamic embedded in this particular verse of Scripture, which the English translation from the Greek does not adequately capture or convey. Students of the Greek language know it to be a double negative, which is designed to strengthen the statement – removing it far beyond all doubt.

The Amplified Bible perhaps says it best: “For God Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down; nor relax My hold on you! Assuredly not!”

In other words, “I will never, never, never leave you; never ever! And that’s a promise.”

But, sometimes the nearness of His presence is not always felt. There are times when it seems as though the Lord is no where to be found. We cry out, and there is no answer. We seek desperately for some token, and find none. Yet He is still there. And often we do not realize it until after that season of silence has passed.

It is then we discover just how near He was to us. Perhaps, like the Psalmist, we may view such seasons as our having been “in the shadow of His wings.” Yes, He is near; even when it seems so dark.

Consider the following a brief “fly-over” of a few high summits in the mountain range of God’s Faithfulness:

Gen 28:15 “And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.”

Deu 31:7 & 8 “And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it. And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.”

Jos 1:5 & 6 “There shall not any man be able to stand before thee all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I sware unto their fathers to give them.”

1 Sa 12:22 “For the LORD will not forsake his people for his great name’s sake: because it hath pleased the LORD to make you his people.”

1 Ch 28:20 “And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.”

Psa 37:25 “I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.”

Isa 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

We can sum it all up in one sentence — “I will never, never, never leave you; never, never ever — and that’s a promise!”

God says in Num 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?” That is why we can know, without doubt, that He will never forsake us.

“Father, thank you for the promises I have that You are always there. Thank you that I can stand on Your Word and remind You of your promises. Thank you that in Jesus they are Yes and Amen as it is written in

2 Co 1:20 ‘For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us.’ Amen.”