As I was writing Day 18 in my new book Fear Not, entitled "Do Not Fear Abandonment," I wrote that God NEVER leaves nor forsakes us, based on the following verses:
Then I came across 2 Chronicles 15:2, "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." That changed how I wrote that devotional.
He never leaves or forsakes the faithful, those who desire Him, BUT if we forsake Him, He will not force Himself on us and will withdraw. That doesn't mean that He forsakes us every time we sin; it means if we decide to go our own way without Him on a continual basis and don't want Him to be a part of our lives any longer, then He honors our choice. His hope, of course, is that we will tire of our misery without Him--like the prodigal son did (Luke 15:11-32)--and return to Him.
Thinking we are safe in Him regardless of our sinful choices is not biblical thinking. Yes, even when we make our bed in hell, He is there (Psalm 139:8) ready to forgive when we repent, but we are careless to presume we can live anyway we want and still enjoy His presence, blessings, and benefits. Knowing this should encourage us to never stray too far away for very long.
- "(for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them" (Deut. 4:31).
- The words of Moses to the Children of Israel just before they entered the Promised Land: "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them [their enemies]; for the Lord your God He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you" (Deuteronomy 31:6).
- "You are My servant. I have chosen you and have not cast you away. Fear not, for I am with you..." (Isaiah 41:9)
- And Jesus's last words: "I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matt. 28:20).
Then I came across 2 Chronicles 15:2, "The Lord is with you while you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you." That changed how I wrote that devotional.
He never leaves or forsakes the faithful, those who desire Him, BUT if we forsake Him, He will not force Himself on us and will withdraw. That doesn't mean that He forsakes us every time we sin; it means if we decide to go our own way without Him on a continual basis and don't want Him to be a part of our lives any longer, then He honors our choice. His hope, of course, is that we will tire of our misery without Him--like the prodigal son did (Luke 15:11-32)--and return to Him.
Thinking we are safe in Him regardless of our sinful choices is not biblical thinking. Yes, even when we make our bed in hell, He is there (Psalm 139:8) ready to forgive when we repent, but we are careless to presume we can live anyway we want and still enjoy His presence, blessings, and benefits. Knowing this should encourage us to never stray too far away for very long.