NeverAbandon | Kristi's Morning Devotional

This morning I’ve been sitting here thanking the Father for His faithfulness. He has promised to never leave us or abandon us. Never, no, never.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [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 (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5 AMPC

This verse is from the Amplified Bible. I love studying from the Amplified text. It expands the text more than English and gives us the intensity of the Greek language.

I will not, I will not, I will not, I will not let you down or leave you helpless. God is definitely making a point. He WON’T abandon us!

Tie that in with the first part of that verse. We are told to avoid greed and the lust for money. We have no need to be servant to lack of moral character because…I will not, I will not, I will not let you down.

That promise of God goes further than our financial dealings. It is our assurance that we are His and as His children He is always looking out for our best.

The story of the prodigal son came to mind. The son had a free will; he wasn’t enslaved and so he made the choice to leave. The son had wanted a different life; one filled with all the things that riches could buy. But, He was never out of his father’s thoughts.

I began to see the story from the Father’s point of view. Each morning and evening there would be an empty place at the table. Each day he would watch the road, searching for his wayward son.

One day, walking up that dusty road the Father saw his son returning. The Father didn’t make him grovel; he didn’t even make him walk the long lane to home by himself. He ran to greet him. He embraced him, kissing him, welcoming him home again.

“So he got up and came to his [own] father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity and tenderness [for him]; and he ran and embraced him and kissed him [fervently].” Luke 15:20 AMPC

His son was no longer missing. That night there was a feast fit for a much-loved son. No longer was there an empty plate at the table. The prodigal had returned.

I think at one time or another each of us live the life of the prodigal, wanting to live life on our own terms, driven by selfish ambition, thinking we know best.

God lets us go but He never abandons us. He’s always watching, always waiting, always ready to welcome us home.

“Get the best calf and prepare it, so we can eat and celebrate. ²⁴This son of mine was dead, but has now come back to life. He was lost and has now been found.” And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:23-24 CEV

When we return our place at the table is no longer empty. The Father says it’s time for a party. It’s good to be home!

Most of you can tell from reading my blog that I love being in the kitchen and preparing meals for family and friends. However, there is one step in the process that causes me great frustration.

Plastic Wrap!

In all my years I have not found a wrap that will consistently do its job as advertised and cling. It may stick to one surface but not to another. Most of it only sticks to itself and that’s when I am trying to get it off the roll. Then there’s the struggle to get it unstuck, only to find that it won’t stick to the plate, bowl or product I am wanting to wrap it around…

I gave up and have replaced that roll of non-sticking plastic wrap with a cupboard of containers with snap lids and a drawer of zip lock bags, in all sizes, and my old standby, foil.

Can you imagine my surprise this morning when I found an admonition to “cling” in my Bible reading?

“But cling to Adonai your God, as you have done to this day. ⁹For Adonai has driven out from before you great and mighty nations. As for you, no one remained standing before you to this day. ¹⁰One of you can put a thousand to flight, for Adonai your God, He Himself is fighting for you, just as He said to you. ¹¹For your own sake, therefore, be most mindful to love Adonai your God.” Joshua 23:8-11 TLV (Adonai means the Lord)

The word “cling” in this verse is also translated cleave, hold to, continue to follow and be faithful to in other translations. I like the image that “cling to” creates; it’s a sticking too, that won’t let go.

It’s the same word that is used in the Bible’s teaching on marriage.

“This is why a man leaves his father and his mother and clings to his wife; and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24 TLV

And also, in its teaching on godly living.

“Let love be without hypocrisy—detesting what is evil, holding fast to the good.” Romans 12:9 TLV

I find it interesting that the same word which describes our devotion and commitment to our spouse is used to describe our relationship with the Father and following His way of life. God knows that for a marriage to be successful there has to be a determination to stick with it, a clinging.

We learn that clinging from Him. He is constantly at our side.

“Be courageous! Do not be afraid or tremble before them. For Adonai your God—He is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 TLV

This word cling requires introspection.

What are the things I cling to? Do I spend more time stuck to those pursuits than I do to the Lord? Those questions are meant to condemn but they are meant to help in evaluating our priorities.

Next time you open that box of plastic wrap, and it gets all tangled together just stop and say, “Lord, I just want to be all tangled up in You!”

Tag: NeverAbandon

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