Which other scriptures emphasize God's promise to never leave or forsake us? Psalm 38:21—A Heartfelt Plea Psalm 38:21 cries, “Do not forsake me, O LORD; be not far from me, my God.” The psalmist’s appeal rests on a truth God repeats from Genesis to Revelation: He never abandons His own. Early Covenant Promises: Moses and Joshua • Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.” • Deuteronomy 31:8 – “The LORD Himself goes before you. He will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.” • Joshua 1:5 – “No one shall stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” From David’s Throne to Solomon’s Temple • 1 Chronicles 28:20 – “Then David said to his son Solomon, ‘Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.’” Patriarchs and Prophets Echo the Theme • Genesis 28:15 – “Look, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” • Isaiah 41:10 – “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” • Isaiah 43:2 – “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” Songs of Assurance in the Psalms • Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” • Psalm 37:28 – “For the LORD loves justice and will not forsake His saints; they are preserved forever, but the descendants of the wicked will be cut off.” • Psalm 94:14 – “For the LORD will not forsake His people; He will never abandon His heritage.” Christ Confirms and Deepens the Promise • Matthew 28:20 – “And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” • John 14:18 – “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.” • Hebrews 13:5 – “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’” • Romans 8:38–39 – “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” • 2 Timothy 4:17 – “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear.” Living in the Light of the Promise God’s unwavering statement—“I will never leave you nor forsake you”—is literal, dependable truth. Every season, assignment, hardship, and victory is wrapped in His unbroken presence, turning fear into faith and solitude into fellowship, just as it did for the psalmist in Psalm 38:21. |
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