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Hebrews 13:5b – He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV)
A while back, I went out to get something not too far from home. At the supermarket, I suddenly felt weak. Now, I must have you understand that I am a fully healthy young man. I got my groceries, and walking back home, I felt my strength suddenly desert me. My legs went weak, my stomach felt like it suddenly deflated, and I felt dizzy, like I were going to faint.
I had to find somewhere at the side of the road to just rest. On my head, I poured a sachet (a plastic bag) of cold water — which was a part of what I went to buy — and I rested till I got back a semblance of my strength. That experience has become a startling realization of our body's ability to betray us when we least expect. This is what I call, "The Great Betrayal".
Ezekiel 7:17 – All hands shall be feeble, and all knees shall be weak as water. (KJV)
Looking at this experience and confirming it with Scripture, I have realized that this reality is inescapable. Old age would take away strength and agility, and sometimes, even coherence, and our most cherished memories may fade. This is a sad reality.
But — of course, there is a "but" — in all this seemingly sad reality, I have discovered that though our strength may suddenly fail us and our bodies may betray us, Jesus will never fail or betray us. Are you incapacitated? Do you feel betrayed, thinking that God has taken all good things from you? Maybe you feel frustrated at your own incapability. Do you feel angry that people around you are freely enjoying what God seems to have denied you? Or are you angry with God, asking Him, "Why did You give me this, only to snatch it from me?"
I can ask a thousand more questions, but most of all, do you feel deserted and betrayed by God? He has said in today's Scripture verse that He would never leave you or forsake you. Never!
So, as your strength deserts you and memories fade, as your heart is gripped with some griefs, I want you to declare boldly, "The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear [what might happen to me]." (Hebrews 13:6b KJV)
Please continue to trust and believe God. He loves you and cares about you.
Prayer: Help me, Lord, to trust in You, even when all else seems to fail. Amen.
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Comforting advice, John.
Thank you, John, for that this morning. Well written.
Thank you reminding me today of God’s unfailing love despite our circumstances.
Praying for you. Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. To God be the glory! Blessings.
Thank you for your devotional. I needed to read that today.
Blessings,
(Canada)
Thank you, John,
Your experience is a great reminder that we all need to remember the wonderful God Who is always faithful to us.
Thank you, John, for highlighting this wonderful promise. I keep on needing this reminder! The Lord will not forsake us as our abilities decrease, but rather, prove himself to be true and faithful. PTL
Thanks, John, for your very good advice in your devotional today. Yes, we need trust in our loving Lord at all times because He truly cares for us each and every day. Blessings for your positive and very mindful writing.
Thanks for your sharing. When I celebrated my 90th birthday I was especially reminded of 2 Cor. 12:9 about His grace being sufficient and Psalm 136 which reminds us that His love endures. Continue to trust and obey.
Blessings.
Hi John,
Thank you for your excellent devotional. I’ve been there Brother and as the verse says – when strength deserts and memories fade, I will not fear because the Lord is my helper.
God bless.
Thanks John,
My takeaway is this…
In times of inevitable helplessness, when my body ‘betrays’ routines, incorporate a Scripture, such as, “He will never leave thee.”
Message to self, ‘John is correct’.
Thanks for this reminder, John.
My husband and I are in our 80s and life seems to consist of appointments with specialists! However, many of our friends never had that… we have been blessed with long life! We also know WHERE we’re going! “No fear in death.”
Bless you John,
(BC)
Hallo,
Your meditation today describes just how I have been feeling for 3 weeks after a fall down my stairs and a concussion. I am 83 and was still working teaching exercise classes but now I feel deflated as I am having so many dizzy periods. I’m due to go to the a meeting on Friday and pray that I will be able to carry out my duties while there.
Please pray for me.
Thank you for all your meditations,
(Newfoundland, Canada)
Wow! That’s a great message for me right now as I’m certainly losing all my energy since entering my 80’s . You’re so right about feeling as if the Lord has ‘taken away’ my ability to enjoy life as in the past. Actually, it’s true – life as it was in the past is now gone, BUT … if you ‘seek the LORD and His JOY, you’ll find it still exists. Old age may be a time of loss, but “behold, I am with you always, even to the end of time …”! Knowing that HE has not, and will never, leave us is a very great gift. Thank you for this Wonderful confirmation – from the other side of the world. Life is SO AMAZING and so awesome. God bless.
Thank you, John. I just turned 81, so this is comforting.