forsake you! [Hebrews 13:5] But these words aren’t said only once, they are stated by our God over 100 times in scripture! You’d think we’d get this reality by now… but no. However, if you believe this statement by the Father then you begin to realize that His words mean what they say – regardless of the place we are in, He is there with us! Wrap your head around that!
In the desert times, in the seasons of despair or of apparent abandonment – there is not a time when we are our of His hand. It recently dawned on me about the everywhere-ness of this statement. He won’t leave us when we walk away, or are in sin, or accept a lie of the devil – there is no place that we are that He isn’t with us.
The Creator of the Universe is with us when we’re sad, He smiles when we have success, there isn’t a ‘state’ that He is unfamiliar with. One of my favorite scriptures is Hebrews 4:14-15
“Inasmuch then as we [believers] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior]. For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize and understand our weaknesses and temptations, but One who has been tempted [knowing exactly how it feels to be human] in every respect as we are, yet without [committing any] sin. “
Jesus Knows, He Understands. Even if it is we who get ourselves in these straits, He knows. Hiding when it is sin is stupid and illogical because He is with us when we do wrong. If it is something that blindsides us – He’s still with us. AND MORE! Now read what Hw tells us in the next verse, 16:
“Therefore let us [with privilege] approach the throne of grace [that is, the throne of God’s gracious favor] with confidence and without fear, so that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find [His amazing] grace to help in time of need [an appropriate blessing, coming just at the right moment]. “
See all that awaits us, is available for us to live in our world? BUT being the frail and fretful beings that we are, we can easily be rabbit trailed into wrong thinking. Which is reason enough to hide His word in our hearts so it can be balm in desperate times.
“Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy [every evil, abusive, injurious speaking, or indignity against sacred things] will be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the [Holy] Spirit will not be forgiven. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit [by attributing the miracles done by Me to Satan] will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. [Matthew 12:31-32]
The ‘Therefore’ refers to verse 30 – ” He who is not with Me [once and for all on My side] is against Me; and he who does not [unequivocally] gather with Me scatters.” In another scripture He says:
“You know that when you were pagans, you were led off after speechless idols; however you were led off [whether by impulse or habit]. Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the [power and influence of the] Spirit of God can say, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is [my] Lord,” except by [the power and influence of] the Holy Spirit.” [1 Corinthians 12: 2-3]
We have statement after statement that tells us who He is and what He does for us. There is absolutely NOTHING that can separate us from Him (Romans 8:31-39) – NOTHING, EVER! If you say that I don’t know you – what you’ve done and said or didn’t. True. But I know me and KNOW that He has forgiven me far more that the 70 times 7 (Matthew 18:22). He has given me grace and mercy in place of my words and behaviors. And He gave me the greatest of gifts with 1 John 1:9 – my path to restoration, relationship, and righteousness.
Unless we walk away or reject Him. And this is never an ‘accident’ – we have our guide as to what would be the unpardonable sin and place us outside the care. It’s not an act that is simply done in a moment of anger, it is purposeful. This should ease any mind that thinks they may have committed the unpardonable sin. But do realize our enemy, the devil, will try and use our doubt(?), fear(?), worry(?), etc. against us and tell us we are a lost cause… Never.
Never means never. You are never too old, young, wise, stupid, inept, talented, sinful, weak, etc., etc., etc. He shows no partiality. He is available for all. Just be a ‘whoever’.
“For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in Him [whoever adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Him] will not be disappointed [in his expectations].” For there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; for the same Lord is Lord over all [of us], and [He is] abounding in riches (blessings) for all who call on Him [in faith and prayer]. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord [in prayer] will be saved.” [Romans 10:11-13]
