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. 24 This 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!