The Ever Presence Of God

Let brotherly love continue.

Be not forgetful to entertain

strangers: for thereby some 

have entertained angels unawares.

Remember them that are in bonds,

and them which suffer adversity, 

as being yourselves also in body.

Marriage is honorable in all, and 

the bed undefiled: but whormongers

and adulterers God will judge. 

Let your conversation be without 

covetousness; and be content

with such things as you have: for 

He saith, I will never leave thee,

nor forsake thee. So that we may

boldly say, The Lord is my helper,

and I will  not fear what man shall

so unto me.

Hebrews 13:1-6

     The writer of Hebrews gives to us such wonderful promise that God will never leave us or forsake us. In the Greek if rendered literally the clause is "No, I will not leave thee, no,no, I will not forsake thee." This repetition of the Greek is a most strong way to say something, therefore we can be assured that God will not fail us, God will not forsake His promise to His children to be with them at all times. I will use my recent past experience to drive this point home: When very sick, recovering from the anesthesia, and the pain from the surgery, not once but three times God did not take the pain away, the pills did, and after the last surgery when I could not perform I then had to have something that I wish I did not have, at least until I can see the Urologist some 15 days away. The pain at times is seemingly never to go away, and it just hurts. Should I blame God Who has not answered my prayer for relief and help? NO! You may have experienced this yourself and maybe your faith wavered: don't let it! If God allows this to happen then accept that God has a plan that you are a part of but not one that has all the information. Do you believe in the Providence of God? If so, then be content in whatever circumstances you may find yourself. Remember that God has promised to give to you eternal life and that cannot be taken from you no matter what man may do, or what disease may occur, God will turn all things for the good. Are you a member of a Church?  Good! Don't just come to hear a sermon or to have some fellowship, all good but not what you should have priority in for there are many in your church that sit silently in pain, in circumstances that need your support, your help. Look around and see where you can be of service. That is a most important reason to meet together: to serve each other. 

     "Let brotherly love continue." (vs.1). It was already present therefore do not let anything to cause you not to express "brotherly love." Jesus Christ gave Himself for us, to purchase us a peculiar people by the shedding of His blood. Will you not at least do the same and be concerned for others, to the performance of excellent duties? How can "brotherly love" become stagnated? By allowing yourself to give attention to various teachings that are not Scriptural even though they have a "ring" of truth to them, those doctrines made up by man, those speculations that man has devised to attempt to explain, even the Revelation. The enemy, Satan, will use whatever he can to destroy your faith and your witness: do not let him! Another thing that turns people away from Authenticity of the Christian Faith is that the covet more than they should, i.e., like buying a bigger house, or a newer car, or toys of all kinds (that mostly sit on the walls of the garage). Adultery is always right around the corner and with its "finger" calling you to participate in this sin and the marriage bed becomes defiled. 

     HERE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU MUST REMEMBER! God will not forsake you, so why forsake Him? God will not leave you, so why leave Him? The Lord is your helper and this is through the Holy Spirit Who resides in your soul, the temple of God you are, therefore, live as what you are: THE TEMPLE OF GOD! Do not make Christianity any harder than what others make it to be: If the Bible says do it: DO IT! If the Bible says do not do it: DO NOT DO IT! Easy to say, yes, hard to do, yes, but God is with you and will never leave you He is your helper, but you must allow Him to help. Do your part and God will do His. 

LORD, who shall abide in Thy tabernacle? 

     Who shall dwell in Thy holy hill? 

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh 

     righteousness, and speaketh the truth 

in his heart.

       Psalm 15:1-2

Remember! God is with you always

Richard L. Crumb