Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

I was on the front porch when the lightning struck then just half a second later the ground shook as if struck by a giant fist. It was so powerful that for a moment I was raised straight up from my seat on the wooden bench. Since that day I have never again been so close to lightening but the fear and confusion remain etched forever in my mind. It was for exactly those kinds of moments that Jesus assures us his children again and again. “I will never leave, I will never forsake. I am with you always, I will not leave you orphans; your angels always behold the face of the Father.”

In the hymn, “Blessed Assurance”, Fanny Crosby pens these words, “Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine, O what a foretaste of glory divine.” Jesus is mine! What a thought, that the one by whom all things were created is my own. He is always with me. He sees beyond my blindness and through my confusion. He takes my hand in the storm and calms me when the lightning bolts of life fall suddenly He calms me with His promise, “I will never leave.”  With each new clap of terrifying thunder He reaches out again and touches my shoulder. “I will never forsake!”

But even Christians still live in a world of storms, thunder lightning and unexpected change. We are not exempt but we have His word. He not only once lived among us, but He continues by our side. He is all that we need and I will choose again today to rest in a contentment that I cannot explain. He is by my side and sees beyond to the day when the skies will be rolled back like a

scroll and Heaven comes down to this earth forever. Praise Him today for the promised calm assurance that He will never leave, no never forsake!